Patent Publication Number: US-RE44506-E

Title: Rolled product dispenser

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a household product, more particularly to a rolled product dispenser having a linear core with at least one flexible fin fixedly attached that frictionally inhibits rotation of rolled products placed on the dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Dispensers or holders for rolled products with braking mechanisms are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,573 discloses a dispenser for paper towels and toilet paper having a spindle with ribs. The dispenser has a yoke mechanism that prevents the rotation of the spindle by interacting with pins attached to the base of the spindle. A key feature in this holder is the implementation of the yoke mechanism which stops the rotation of the spindle when the yoke mechanism is positioned properly. An adjustment means is also incorporated into the holder that affects the friction applied to the rotating spindle and any attached paper product. These features require additional effort on the part of the user to operate the paper product roll dispenser. Complicated braking mechanisms and rotation control devices, such as those used by this type of holder lead to further manufacturing costs and time. Additionally, loading products onto and operating such a holder is complicated by these cumbersome features. 
     Other paper product holders (e.g., such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,878,631 and 5,125,586) provide features that attempt to address the problem of preventing the uncontrolled rotation and unraveling of paper towel rolls. In both instances, the prevention of rotation of the paper product roll is accomplished by engaging the interior diameter of a paper product tube with spines that are either affixed to a tube, or are attached to a sleeve that rotates on the tube. Friction is exerted on the interior of the tube with the spines affixed or on the interior of a spiny sleeve. Force exerted on the tube is transferred from the tube spines to the interior of a paper product tube. As with other paper product holders the friction means requires multiple moving parts which increases manufacturing cost and time. Moreover, by introducing a friction adjustment means these holders have added complexity to the design, which the main factor that increases the costs of manufacture. These features also reduce the aesthetic appeal of the holder, and make the holder more difficult to operate. 
     What is needed, then, is a rolled product dispenser that can control the rotation of rolled product on a dispenser with a frictional element that requires no moving or complex parts. Additionally, what is lacking in previous incarnations of paper product holders is a design that accomplishes the task of preventing uncontrolled rotation of paper products without increasing load time. Secondarily, the apparatus should accomplish these tasks with a dispenser that is viable both vertically and horizontally. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention broadly comprises an apparatus for holding and dispensing rolled products that comprises a rigid linear core with a spindle fixedly attached to the exterior of the rigid linear core with at least one fin fixedly attached to the spindle. Removably attached to the rigid linear core is a head. The fins are attached parallel to the spindle and are constructed of an elastomeric material, and extend outwardly and radially from the spindle. Preferably, a base is fixedly attached to the rigid linear core distal to the head. Alternatively, the base can be replaced by a bracket that is capable of being attached to vertical and horizontal surfaces. 
     In some aspects, the spindle of the rolled product dispenser has at least two fins disposed diametrically opposite to each other on the spindle. Alternatively, the spindle can have at least one fin that is attached parallel to the spindle and extends radially and outwardly from the spindle. The fin can be rigid at its base with increasing flexibility as the fin extends radially and outwardly from the spindle. In other embodiments the at least one fin is operatively arranged to constantly engage the interior of a rolled product tube when it is placed upon the spindle. The at least on fin can also be operatively arranged to impede the rotation of a rolled product tube when sheets of material are torn free from the roll. Preferably the base has a weighted portion or holes through which an attachment means can be used to secure the dispenser to a support surface. In some embodiments, the base has a cover portion that is placed over said weighted portion. 
     In other aspects, the rigid linear core has a threaded partial throughbore on one end and a threaded portion on an opposite end. The base can be attached to the rigid linear core by threading. The rigid linear core can extend from the center of said base, although in other embodiments the base can be offset. It is preferable that a flexible pad be attached to the base. In a preferred embodiment the head is greater in diameter than the interior diameter of a rolled product tube, but in some embodiments the head can be smaller than the interior diameter of a rolled product tube to facilitate easier loading and unloading. In some aspects, a mounting bracket is attached to the rigid linear core and the mounting bracket is arranged to be attached to a flat surface. The mounting bracket can be numerous shapes, but preferably it is L-shaped. 
     It is a general object of the invention is to provide a rolled product dispenser with a frictional means that can impede the rotation of tubes loaded on the dispenser. 
     It is another object of the invention is to provide a rolled product dispenser that can frictionally inhibit the rotation of paper towel rolls while still providing product loading times that are minimal. 
     It is further object of the invention is to provide a rolled product dispenser that is capable of being placed on horizontal surfaces or fixedly mounted on vertical or horizontal surfaces. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the invention in view of the several drawings of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dispenser of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the dispenser in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the dispenser in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the dispenser in  FIG. 1 , with a paper towel roll attached having a segment cut away to show the structure and function of the fins; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross section of the dispenser taken generally at line  5 - 5 , as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the head of the dispenser in  FIG. 1 , with a segment cut away to show the threaded portion of the head; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the connection between the rigid linear core and the base of the dispenser as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the dispenser with the spindle and linear core removed; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged top plan view of the mounting bracket of an alternative embodiment of the dispenser in  FIG. 8 , with a portion broken away to show the threaded portion of the linear core; 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the mounting bracket of the dispenser in  FIG. 8  facing the threaded partial throughbore; and, 
         FIG. 11  is a cross section side view of the mounting bracket of the dispenser in  FIG. 8  taken generally at line  11 - 11 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  provide a perspective and a front elevational view, respectively, of dispenser  10  having spindle  12  with fins  18  attached. Fins  18  extend outwardly radially from spindle  12  and are operatively arranged to frictionally engage the interior diameter  30  of tube  28 . As sheets are torn free from dispenser  10 , fins  18  frictionally engage interior diameter  30  of tube  28 , which prevents the uncontrolled unraveling or rotation of tube  28 . Fins  18  are preferably constructed of an elastomeric material, such as rubber or a flexible polymer, which is capable of retarding the rotation of rolled products that are loaded on dispenser  10 . It should be appreciated that dispenser  10  can be adapted to dispense numerous rolled product tube types. In this regard rolled products are any product that is formed in a tube shape that is designed to be dispensed by rotating. For example, in a preferred embodiment dispenser  10  can hold and dispense paper towels. Yet in other embodiments, dispenser  10  can hold and dispense rolled plastic wrap, toilet tissue, foil, or other various rolled materials. All of these various products listed, and their equivalents, fall within the category of rolled materials or products, and the subject invention can be adapted to be used with these products. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of dispenser  10  showing the individual elements of the dispenser, some of which are unapparent when the dispenser is fully assembled. Case in point is linear core  32 , which is encased within spindle  12 , is one of those hidden elements. Linear core  32  provides the support needed to keep spindle  12  upright, and enables spindle  12  to support and hold rolled products. Linear core  32  can be a solid cylindrical tube, excluding the section reserved for partial throughbore  40 , or a hollow cylindrical tube. To provide the necessary features it is advantageous that linear core  32  be constructed of a material that lends rigidity such as steel, aluminum, a metallic alloy, wood, rigid plastics or acrylics, or other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Spindle  12  with fins  18  are fixedly attached to linear core  32  by essentially fusing the two elements using a suitable adhesive. Another alternative would be to use a linear core  32  with a diameter that is slightly smaller than the throughbore  38  of spindle  12 , which would enable spindle  12  to be stretched over linear core  32  creating a tight fit that fixedly attaches spindle  12  to linear core  32 . An adhesive can also be used to secure  12  to  32  in this instance as well. 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of dispenser  10  with paper towel roll  26  attached having a segment cut away to show the structure and function of fins  18 . In a preferred embodiment of dispenser  10 , at least one fin  18  is fixedly attached and parallel to spindle  12 . Certain embodiments of dispenser  10  will have multiple fins  18  on spindle  12  that are diametrically opposed to each other. In a further configuration with multiple fins  18  there may be a single pair of fins, or multiple pairings. Although a single fin  18  would be sufficient to generate friction to impede the rotation of the tube attached, a pair of fins  18  will have greater restrictive friction, which may be beneficial in some applications. Attaching an even greater number of fins  18  to increase friction is another possible embodiment. The decision to add additional fins  18  will depend on the application.  FIG. 1  shows the preferred arrangement with two pair of fins  18  fixedly attached to spindle  12  and diametrically opposed to each other. 
     Fins  18  can be fixedly attached to spindle  12  or they can be molded into the spindle in the manufacturing process in one step. When forming spindle  12  with fins  18  integral to spindle  12  in one step, manufacturing time and cost is greatly reduced. In an exemplary embodiment of dispenser  10 , fins  18  are flexible. The flexibility of fins  18  increases as they extend outwardly from spindle  12 . It is preferable that fins  18  have a generally triangular shape with a peak extending outwardly and radially from spindle  12 . The flexibility of fins  18  aid in generating a impeding pressure on tubes that are loaded onto dispenser  10 . The flexibility of fins  18  also help to modulate the pressure so that while rotation is impeded, the fins still enable the paper towel roll to rotate. Notwithstanding, fins  18  may extend a sufficient distance from spindle  12  to tightly engage interior diameter  30  of a tube  28 , and thus impede rotation to a higher degree. It should be appreciated that whatever the product that is chosen to be held by dispenser  10  the extent that fins  18  extend from spindle  12  is adjustable to match the degree of friction that is desired. 
     As shown, fins  18  have a parabolic profile which generates the desired contact with the interior diameter  30  of tube  28 . However, the profile of fins  18  can be other shapes such as rectangles, triangles, or half circles (not shown). It is also envisioned that the profile of fins  18  can be multiple parabolas, rectangles, triangles, or half circles (not shown). 
     In other embodiments, fins  18  may only contact interior diameter  30  of tube  28  when sheets of material are torn free from a roll. In such an embodiment fins  18  extend outwardly from spindle  12  a distance that is slightly less than the diameter of a standard paper towel tube, or other rolled material tube. Thus, in such an arrangement the tube may be placed and removed from spindle  12  without any force, and rotation of the tube is only slightly restricted by fins  18 . Spindle  12  is preferably constructed of an elastomeric material that is similar to that used for fins  18 , such as rubber or flexible polymers. Other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be used as well. 
     Head  14  is removably attached to spindle  12  at spindle/head intersection  20  at the top of dispenser  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , head  14  is spherically shaped and is attached to the top of spindle  12 , distal to base  16 . Preferably head  14  is constructed of a metal, such as aluminum which can make the head durable and lightweight. Other suitable choices for construction materials include: other metals, metallic alloys, plastics, wood, acrylic, or any other similar material that would be known to one of ordinary skilled in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, head  14  has a diameter that is slightly less than the interior diameter of a standard paper towel tube. Constructing head  14  with a diameter that is slightly less than the interior diameter of a standard paper towel tube enables one to load and then remove empty tubes without removing head  12  from atop spindle  12 . In other embodiments it may be advantageous that head  14  be sized larger than the diameter of the product roll loaded on dispenser  10 . A dispenser with such a head will lose the advantage of quick and easy removal of rolls, but will add the capability of preventing rolls from falling off dispenser  10 . A larger head  14  is particularly beneficial for applications such as with an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 . With a larger head rolls can only be removed by unthreading head  14  from spindle  12 . Such an arrangement prevents the tube from being removed from dispenser  10 , without first removing head  14 . This is a particularly advantageous embodiment since the tube cannot be removed unintentionally as when one attempts to tear a sheet of material free from dispenser  10 . 
     Base  16  is attached to spindle  12  at spindle/base intersection  22  at the bottom of dispenser  10 . Base  16  is preferably constructed of multiple elements as will be described. One such base element is base pad  24 , which in some aspects is made of a material that is elastomeric and is fixedly attached to base  16  using an adhesive known to those skilled in the art. Constructing base pad  24  of a material that is flexible such as rubber or foam rubber enables the base pad to acts as a buffer for the surface that dispenser  10  rests upon. Having base pad  24  constructed of elastomeric material also has the advantage that it frictionally grips the surface that dispenser  10  rests upon. This is advantageous since it prevents slipping of dispenser  10 , which is particularly important when sheets of material are torn free from the dispenser. 
     Multiple elements formulate base  16 . Base cover  34  is a face that effectively covers the internal elements of base  16 . Base cover  34  provides an attractive fascia for base  16 . Base cover  34  may be constructed of numerous different materials which include metals, metallic alloys, plastic, wood, or other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Different finishes or colors can be applied to base cover  24  to provide flexibility for the consumer to adapt dispenser  10  to various decors. Through the center of base cover  34  is aperture  50  which can accept threaded portion  42  of linear core  32 . Another useful element that may be incorporated into base  16  is weighted portion  48  with a centrally located aperture  52  that aligns with aperture  50 . Both weighted portion  48  and base cover  34  may be attached to linear core  32  by inserting threaded portion  42  through  34  and  48  and then threading nut  46  onto  42 . Optionally, a washer  44  can be used to prevent the loosening of nut  46 . It should be appreciated that this attachment means is one of many possible attachment methods. Other alternatives include welding or adhesively fusing the base members to the linear core  32 , or any means known to one skilled in the art for fixedly attaching. 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of dispenser  10  with a paper towel roll  26  attached. Provided is a partial cut away of paper towel roll  26  to provide a view of the structure and function of fins  18 . Interior diameter  30  of paper towel tube  28  is shown in contact with fins  18 . This interaction causes the frictional force that impedes the uncontrolled unraveling or rotation of paper towel rolls when placed on dispenser  10 . It should be appreciated that variations in the distance that fins  18  protrude from spindle  12  are variations that are within the spirit and scope of the invention. Dispenser  10  may have fins  18  with various dimensions depending on the degree of friction that is desired. In the embodiment shown, fins  18  are in contact with the interior diameter  30  of tube  28 , but other configurations can have fins  18  with a slight gap between interior diameter  30  of tube  28 . In such a configuration the interior diameter  30  of tube  28  comes in contact with fins  18  only when sheets are torn from the paper towel roll (or other rolled product). It should be appreciated that in some aspects, less than all the fins  18  are in contact with interior diameter  30  when products are not being dispensed from the dispenser. Friction produced when fins  18  rub the interior diameter  30  of tube  28  create enough restriction to facilitate easier product tearing from dispenser  10  and prevent the roll from spinning uncontrollably at the moment of tearing. It is advantageous that fins  18  protrude a sufficient distance from spindle  12  to contact interior diameter  30  of tube  28 , if not constantly, at least enough to generate friction when material is torn free from dispenser  10 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross section taken generally at line  5 - 5 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , of a top view of dispenser  10  that further demonstrates the structure and function of fins  18 . Fins  18  are shown integral to linear core  32 . As shown, spindle  12  is composed of linear core  32  with fins  18 , where fins  18  are joined together and slid over linear core  32 . The thin layer of material that connects fins  18  is preferably constructed of a material that is identical to the fin material, i.e., elastomeric material such as rubber or a flexible polymer. Fins  18  can be attached separately to a circular hollow spindle  12 , or a hollow spindle  12  can be formed with fins  18  integral to spindle  12 . As shown, fins  18  are in contact with interior diameter  30  of tube  28 , but as mentioned earlier this is not the sole arrangement taught by this dispenser. 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of head  14  of dispenser  10  with a segment cut away to show threaded portion  36 . Head  14  is threaded into internal spindle throughbore  40 , which has an upper threaded portion that matches the thread of threaded portion  36 . This threading occurs at intersection  20  at the top of spindle  12  and enables head  14  to be removably attached to linear core  32 . It is preferable that head  14  be spherical shaped with a diameter that is slightly smaller than the interior diameter of the roll that is going to be mounted on dispenser  10 . A head  14  of that size and shape will enable a user to load and remove products on dispenser  10  with relative ease. Although it is shown that head  14  is spherical shaped other shapes will function just as well. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the intersection  22  between linear core  32  and base  16 . Threaded portion  42  of linear core  32  is shown threaded into base nut  46 . It is advantageous that washer  44  be placed between nut  46  and the recess in base  16  to prevent the loosening of the connection between base  16  and linear core  32 . As discussed previously, the joining of base  16  to linear core  32  can be accomplished by numerous other means which can include welding, adhering with a suitable epoxy, or other equivalent means known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of dispenser  10  having an upper portion that includes linear core  32 , spindle  12 , head  14  that is identical to the primary embodiment described above. This alternative embodiment of dispenser  10  enables the attachment of dispenser  10  to vertical surfaces as opposed to resting it solely on horizontal surfaces. In this alternative embodiment dispenser  10  is fixedly mountable to vertical or horizontal surfaces. An alternative embodiment of dispenser  10  replaces base  16  with mounting bracket  54 . As shown, linear core  32 , spindle  12  and head  14  has been unthreaded from mounting bracket  54 . In  FIG. 8 , mounting bracket  54  has a main body portion that is a spherically shaped in a similar fashion as head  14 . It should be understood that alteration of the shape of mounting bracket  54  will not affect function of the bracket, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention. The main spherical body portion is attached to stanchion  58  and stanchion  58  is attached to mounting bracket base  60 . Mounting bracket  54  can be secured to a vertical or horizontal surface using screws, nails, or similar attachment means (not shown). Screws are inserted into apertures  62  of bracket base  60  and then screwed into the surface that bracket  54  is to be mounted to. To enable easier installation of this alternative embodiment of dispenser  10 , linear core  32  can be unscrewed from mounting bracket  54  before attempting to mount an alternative embodiment of dispenser  10 . 
     It is advantageous that mounting bracket  54  be cast as one unit, but it is also possible that the individual elements, i.e., spherical body portion, stanchion  58 , and bracket base  60 , of mounting bracket  54  can be formed separately and then fixedly attached together. Preferably, mounting bracket  54  is cast out of a lightweight metal, but it also likely that natural products, acrylics, polymers, or other metals can also be utilized. 
       FIG. 9 ,  10  and  11  provide an enlarged view of mounting bracket  54  of an alternative embodiment of dispenser  10 .  FIG. 9 and 11  show threaded partial throughbore  56  of mounting bracket  54 , which is the attachment point for spindle  12 .  FIG. 11  shows a cross section taken generally at line  11 - 11 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , showing an empty partial throughbore  56 .  FIG. 9  shows a partial broken away view of partial throughbore  56  with threaded portion  42  of linear core  32  fully screwed into  56 . Spindle  12  can be removed from mounting bracket  54  by simply unthreading it from mounting bracket  54 . Providing a threaded junction  22 , where spindle  12  is removably threaded into  56 , enables a user to detach spindle  12  from mounting bracket base  60 , which facilitates easier mounting of dispenser  10  to a vertical surface such as a wall, or a horizontal surface such as a counter top. The threaded connection between spindle  12  and mounting bracket base  60  also gives a user the option of using that detachable connection as the mode of replenishing materials that have been depleted on dispenser  10 . 
       FIG. 10  demonstrates the desirability of stanchion  58  being a sufficient length to ensure that product rolls loaded on dispenser  10  have sufficient clearance to rotate. Depending on the application and product loaded onto dispenser  10  that distance can be inches or more than a foot. It is advantageous that in the primary application, wherein paper towel rolls will be loaded on dispenser  10 , the length of stanchion  58  needs to be several inches. Generally, stanchion  58  is slightly larger than the diameter of the product loaded on dispenser  10  to provide adequate clearance for rotation of the roll. 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , rolled materials are loaded onto spindle  12  and product is unraveled from dispenser  10  by unwinding the product in the reverse direction that it has been wound. Spindle  12  and fins  18  remain stationary, except for minor flexing of fins  18 . Since the spindles are operatively arranged to frictionally engage the interior of rolled materials loaded onto dispenser  10 , the most viable alternative for dispensing product from dispenser  10  is by unraveling. This is particularly applicable with products that are perforated at predetermined sheet locations, such as paper towel or toilet tissue rolls. However, for certain products that are a continuous roll, such as plastic wrap or aluminum foil, product can be pulled of off dispenser  10  while fins  18  impede rotation of the product roll. A separate cutting means can be used to remove the desired sheet length, or the friction of fins  18  on the interior of the product roll can be used to stabilize the rotation of the roll as a sheet of product is torn free. Pulling product off of dispenser  10  in this manner is a viable dispensing method for perforated sheets as well, but if multiple sheets are needed it is best to unravel. 
     Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.