Patent Publication Number: US-2015060591-A1

Title: Multi-roll paper towel dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/872,810. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to kitchen accessories and in particular to a multi-roll paper towel dispenser. Busy kitchens whether in a restaurant or a home can use up multiple rolls of paper towels in an hour, but standard paper towel dispensers only hold one roll of paper towels. Convenience is often at the forefront of many user&#39;s minds and retrieving another roll of paper towels represents time and money wasted and is often times inconvenient. A multi-roll paper towel dispenser, which holds one or two rolls of paper towels in reserve above the roll that is currently being dispensed will save time and money, it also provides convenience to users who may not be able to retrieve a second roll of paper towels easily when the first roll runs out. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the invention is directed to a multi-roll paper towel dispenser, which holds one or two reserve rolls of paper towels above the dispensing roll. When the dispensing roll run out, the user removes the empty dispensing roll, and a reserve roll will immediately drop downward or forward into position, ready to use. The dispenser may be mounted in a convenient, space-saving configuration under a cabinet or shelf, or against a wall. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of the first exemplary embodiment in the vertical configuration, displaying the side panel  10 , and the dispensing roll  11 , the mounting surface  16 . 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the first exemplary embodiment in the horizontal configuration, displaying the side panel  10 , the dispensing roll  11 , and the mounting surface  16 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of the first exemplary embodiment in the vertical configuration, displaying the side panel  10 , the dispensing roll  11 , the reserve rolls  12 , the dispensing spindle  13 , and the reserve spindles  14 , and the rear panel  15 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of the first exemplary embodiment in the horizontal configuration, displaying the side panel  10 , the dispensing roll  11 , the reserve rolls  12 , the dispensing spindle  13 , the reserve spindles  14 , and the rear panel  15 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a multi-roll paper towel dispenser, which holds one or two reserve rolls  12  of paper towels above the dispensing roll  11 . When the dispensing roll  11  run out, the user removes the empty dispensing roll  12 , and a reserve roll  12  will immediately drop downward or forward into position, ready to use. The dispenser may be mounted in a convenient, space-saving configuration under a cabinet or shelf (the horizontal configuration of  FIGS. 2 and 4 ), or against a wall (in the vertical configuration of  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). 
     The first exemplary embodiment consists of two side panels  10  joined rigidly by a rear panel  15  and two or three spindles therebetween: a dispensing spindle  13  for the dispensing roll  11 , and one or two reserve spindles  14  for the reserve rolls  12 . Alternatively, the dispenser is to be wall-mounted, or mounted under a cabinet or shelf (generically, the rear panel  15  may be affixed to a mounting surface  16 , which may be oriented vertically or horizontally). The reserve spindles  14  will be rollably mounted so as to easily slide downward or forward if unobstructed, urged downward in a straight line by channels in the interior surfaces of the side panels  10 . The dispensing spindle  13  may be manually removed (e.g. by compressing an internal tension spring to contract the spindle) and replaced as a reserve spindle  14 , or may be returned via channels on the interior surface of the side panels  10  to a rear or upper position as a reserve spindle  14 . The dispensing spindle  13  may be understood as that spindle which is forwardmost (in a horizontal configuration) or downwardmost (in a vertical configuration), the position of the dispensing spindle may be understood as the dispensing position. The reserve spindles  14  are understood as the spindle or spindles which are positioned rearward or upward of the dispensing position, and these positions may collectively be understood as the reserve position. The dispenser is permanently affixed via the rear panel  15  to a mounting surface, for example the surface of a wall, or the lower surface of a cabinet or shelf with mounting hardware, which is provided. 
     To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user stocks the dispenser with a dispensing roll  11  on the dispensing spindle  13 , and one or two reserve rolls  12  on the reserve spindle or spindles  14 , prior to anticipated use. When the dispensing roll  11  runs out removes empty dispensing roll  11  (for example by removing or opening a breach in the dispensing spindle  11 ). The reserve spindle  14  of a reserve roll  12  will then be unobstructed and will slide downward or forward. The reserve roll  12  immediately drops into position, ready to use. 
     The device is preferably available in multiple finishes to suit any decor. The side panels  10  are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials that are easily cleaned, such as wood, steel, and aluminum. The spindles are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials, such as steel and aluminum. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention. 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.