Patent Description:
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are directed generally to aircraft interior fixtures, and more particularly to mechanisms for retaining and dispensing paper towels in galley or lavatory environments. The invention is directed towards a paper towel roll holder.

Catering services aboard commercial aircraft galleys may encounter liquid spillages or unwanted food residue requiring removal. Airlines may provide disposable paper towel rolls for this purpose. However, various local suppliers around the world may provide differently sourced rolls, which may vary widely with respect to the roll length or diameter of the inner cardboard sleeve. As a result, some roll sizes may not be compatible with standard paper roll holders.

<CIT> relates to holding means for dispensing paper toweling, <CIT> relates to a width changeable paper towel holder designer for presently available paper towels of different specifications, <CIT> relates to improvements in unwinding or unrolling machines for fabric, paper, etc..

A paper towel roll holder (e.g., for an aircraft galley or lavatory) is provided as claimed in claim <NUM>.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description are example and explanatory only.

The embodiment of drawings <NUM> and <NUM>, that comprises a tab and detents, is forming part of the invention. The embodiments of drawings <NUM>-<NUM> that don't comprise a tab and/or detents, are not forming part of the invention.

The appearances of the phrase "in some embodiments" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein along with any other features which may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the instant disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a paper towel roll holder <NUM> is disclosed. The paper towel roll holder <NUM> may be capable of providing a range of adjustment of its length in order to accommodate a range of dimensionally different paper towel rolls (e.g., rolls of different longitudinal lengths, rolls of different diameters or having inner sleeves of different widths). The paper towel roll holder <NUM> incorporates a fixed carrier section <NUM> terminating in a support arm <NUM> and a sliding sleeve section <NUM> (also terminating in a support arm <NUM>), each support arm having a rounded (e.g., substantially circular) boss <NUM>.

In embodiments, the carrier section <NUM> may be mounted (e.g., bolted, screwed, or otherwise attached) to a galley wall or other interior surface of an aircraft or other vehicle. The carrier section <NUM> and sleeve section <NUM> may be fashioned of injection molded plastic, fabricated (e.g., extruded, stamped) metal, or any other appropriate material. The support arms <NUM> may project from the carrier section <NUM> and sleeve section <NUM> at substantially right angles, or at any other angle enabling the rounded bosses <NUM> to fit within the opposing cylindrical inner sleeves of a paper towel roll. The support arms <NUM> may be of a single piece respectively with the carrier section <NUM> and sleeve section <NUM>, or attached to the carrier section and sleeve section as described below.

The sleeve section <NUM> slides laterally (<NUM>) along or over the carrier section <NUM> to increase or decrease the overall length of the paper towel roll holder <NUM>, such that the length may be increased to accommodate a paper towel roll of given length and decreased such that the rounded bosses <NUM> may be secured in either end of the inner sleeve of the paper towel roll to hold the roll in place. In some embodiments, the rounded bosses <NUM> may be capable of rotation (<NUM>) relative to the support arms <NUM> to facilitate use of the paper towel roll.

Referring now to <FIG>, the paper towel roll holder 100a may be implemented and may function similarly to the paper towel roll holder <NUM> of <FIG>, except that the paper towel roll holder 100a may incorporate locking tabs <NUM> and detents <NUM> to secure the paper towel roll holder at a variety of desired lengths.

The paper towel roll holder 100a is configured to be set at different desired lengths, each desired length corresponding to a particular and known roll length. For example, the locking tabs <NUM> may be D-tabs fixed to the sleeve section <NUM> above and below the carrier section <NUM>, the D-tabs capable of a spring effect due to their design. The carrier section <NUM> includes a series of detents <NUM> compatible with the locking tabs <NUM> such that the paper towel roll holder 100a may be set to any desired length by pulling or pushing (<NUM>) the sleeve section <NUM> relative to the carrier section, such that the locking tabs come to rest in the desired set of upper and lower detents until removed by further pulling or pushing.

In embodiments, the carrier section <NUM> may be attached to a galley wall or interior surface in two locations (e.g., fixing holes) <NUM> (e.g., via screws, bolts, or other similar fasteners).

Referring to <FIG>, the paper towel roll holder 100b may be implemented and may function similarly to the paper towel roll holder 100a of <FIG>, except that the paper towel roll holder 100b may incorporate a compressible position ring <NUM> and staggered track <NUM> to secure the paper towel roll holder at any of a variety of possible desired lengths.

In embodiments, the position ring <NUM> may be a compressible or deformable rubber or plastic ring retained by a guide pin <NUM>. The guide pin <NUM> may additionally serve as a spring for positive location of the sleeve section <NUM> relative to the carrier section <NUM> via the staggered track <NUM>. For example, the staggered track <NUM> may comprise a series of staggered detents 304a, 304b,. 304n alternating between the top and bottom sides of the track, such that (e.g., compared to the detents <NUM> shown by <FIG>) the paper towel roll holder 100b may be capable of more precise adjustment due to the larger number and closer proximity of the staggered detents 304a-n. The position ring <NUM> may proceed along a stepped path <NUM> through each successive staggered detent 304a-n, compressing between adjacent staggered detents until the next detent is reached (regulated by the guide pin <NUM>) and increasing or decreasing the length of the paper towel roll holder as desired. In some embodiments, the position ring <NUM> may be replaced if deformed or worn by use; for example, a replacement position ring may be fitted to the guide pin <NUM> via an installation aperture <NUM> set into the carrier section <NUM>.

Referring in particular to <FIG>, the paper towel roll holder may incorporate, instead of the position ring <NUM> of <FIG>, a metallic "spring ring" 302a similarly compressed between staggered detents 304a-n until reaching the next detent and locking the paper towel roll holder into a desired length.

Referring to <FIG>, the paper towel roll holder 100c may be implemented and may function similarly to the paper towel roll holders <NUM>, <NUM>00a/b of <FIG>, except that the paper towel roll holder 100c may incorporate support arms 104a incorporating hinges <NUM> and capable of folding inwards (<NUM>) toward the carrier section <NUM> or sleeve section <NUM> when not in use. In some embodiments, the support arms 104a may be retained in the folded position by springs, mechanical catches, magnets, or any other appropriate means of restricting free movement of the support arms when a paper towel roll is not installed therebetween.

Referring to <FIG>, the paper towel roll holder 100d may be implemented and may function similarly to the paper towel roll holders <NUM>, 100a-c of <FIG>, except that the paper towel roll holder 100d may be fashioned of fabricated metal comprising extruded, stamped, folded or otherwise machined parts. For example, the paper towel roll holder 100d may incorporate hinged support arms (104a, <FIG>) or machined support arms 104b (e.g., which may incorporate the rounded bosses <NUM> in a single piece, or to which the bosses may be welded) attached (e.g., bolted, screwed, fastened) to the carrier section <NUM> and the sleeve section <NUM>. Friction between the sleeve section <NUM> and the carrier section <NUM> may be reduced by the incorporation of slide rails <NUM> (e.g., fashioned of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or any similarly appropriate low-friction material) where the sleeve section contacts the carrier section.

Referring to <FIG>, the paper towel roll holder 100e may be implemented and may function similarly to the paper towel roll holders <NUM> (<FIG>) and 100d (<FIG>), except that the paper towel roll holder 100e may incorporate spring steel actuated positioning buttons <NUM> locatable within a series of holes <NUM> in the carrier section <NUM> to adjust the length of the paper towel roll holder. In some embodiments, the carrier section <NUM> and sleeve section <NUM> may incorporate (e.g., instead of the rounded bosses <NUM>, <FIG>) rounded bobbins <NUM> capable of free rotation (<NUM>) once inserted into the inner sleeve of a paper towel roll.

In some embodiments, the paper towel roll holder 100e may incorporate additional rows of parallel holes <NUM> and corresponding positioning buttons <NUM> for added stability. Referring to <FIG>, the paper towel roll holder 100f may be implemented and may function similarly to the paper towel roll holder 100e of <FIG>/B, except that the paper towel roll holder 100f may incorporate staggered rows of holes (612a-b) set into the carrier section <NUM> for more precise length adjustment.

Referring to <FIG>, a paper towel roll holder <NUM> is disclosed. The paper towel roll holder <NUM> may include a substantially rectangular, rounded rectangular, or boxlike body <NUM> attachable to a galley wall or interior surface and two support arms 704a-b extending from either side of the body (e.g., substantially parallel to the galley wall) and terminating in substantially circular roll locators <NUM> configured to fit inside the inner sleeve of a paper towel roll and capable of free rotation relative to the support arms.

In embodiments, the support arms 704a-b may be circular, polygonal, tubular, or solid in construction and may be offset or asymmetrical relative to each other. For example, the support arm 704a may extend from the body <NUM> at a height just above that of the support arm 704b. Referring in particular to <FIG>, the support arms 704a-b may be secured to the body <NUM> by, and the movement of the support arms relative to the body controlled by, tension springs <NUM>. The tension springs <NUM> may serve to draw the support arms 704a-b toward each other and prevent the roll locators <NUM> from detaching, allowing the support arms 704a-b to grip and hold any of a variety of lengths of paper towel rolls (e.g., able to fit between the roll locators <NUM> when the support arms 704a-b are extended).

Referring to <FIG>, the paper towel roll holder 700a may be implemented and may function similarly to the paper towel roll holder of <FIG>, except that the paper towel roll holder 700a may include, extending from the body <NUM>, a fixed support arm <NUM> and an extendible support arm <NUM> (as opposed to, e.g., the two extendible support arms 704a-b of <FIG>), both support arms terminating in tapered bobbins <NUM>.

In embodiments, the fixed and extendible support arms <NUM>, <NUM> may be set on a common plane (as opposed to the offset support arms 704a-b). For example, referring in particular to <FIG>, the fixed support arm <NUM> may extend from the body <NUM> at a fixed length while the extendible support arm <NUM> may be extended (<NUM>) from a minimum distance 808a to a maximum distance 808b (e.g., roll height), from which point tension upon the extendible support arm (maintained by compression springs <NUM> within the body <NUM>) draws the extendible support arm toward the inner sleeve of the paper towel roll <NUM>, gripping the roll in place and allowing free rotation of the roll via the tapered bobbins <NUM>.

In embodiments, the tapered bobbins <NUM> may be tapered for greater compatibility with a variety of inner sleeves having a variety of widths. The tapered bobbins may include bushings <NUM> of nylon or any appropriate low-friction material to enhance the free rotation of the tapered bobbins relative to the fixed and extendible support arms <NUM>, <NUM> and eliminate metal-to-metal binding between the bobbins and the support arms.

Referring in particular to <FIG>, the paper towel roll holder 700a may be mounted to the galley wall or interior surface (e.g., bolted, pinned, screwed, or otherwise fastened) via mounting points <NUM>, such that based on a common set of mounting points the paper towel roll holder may be rotated <NUM> degrees for installation, such that the fixed support arm <NUM> extends from either the left side or the right side of the body <NUM> as desired (and therefore the extendible support arm <NUM> extends from either the right or left side as appropriate).

Referring in particular to <FIG>, the fixed support arm <NUM> may be held in place by a pin <NUM> passing through the body of the fixed support arm and into the body <NUM>. The extendible support arm <NUM> may include bushing supports <NUM> to enhance movement of the extendible support arm toward and away from the body <NUM> (restrained by tension maintained by the compression springs <NUM> and spring actuating collar <NUM>). The extendible support arm <NUM> may further be held in place by an antirotation block <NUM> (e.g., antirotation flat) preventing rotation of the extendible support arm <NUM> relative to the body <NUM> and the fixed support arm <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the body 702a may be implemented and may function similarly to the body <NUM> of <FIG>, except that the body 702a may incorporate flexible clips <NUM> and torsion springs <NUM>.

In embodiments, the flexible clips <NUM> may be attached to the exterior of the antirotation block <NUM> to improve the strength and sliding function of the extendible support arm <NUM>. For example, the flexible clips may engage with the interior surfaces <NUM> of the interior chamber <NUM> of the body <NUM> to provide smooth sliding of the antirotation block <NUM> relative to the interior surfaces, preventing the extendible support arm <NUM> from dropping due to wear on the antirotation block. Wear on the antirotation block may further be reduced by the torsion springs <NUM> situated between, and reducing the impact force between, the extensible support arm <NUM> and the rear interior surface 906a of the interior chamber <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a galley environment <NUM> is disclosed. In embodiments, the paper towel roll holder 700a (as well as the paper towel roll holders <NUM>, 100a-f, <NUM> of <FIG>) may be installed on an interior surface <NUM> of the galley environment. For example, the paper towel roll holder 700a may be installed such that the extendible support arm <NUM> extends outward from the galley environment <NUM> (e.g., or reversed so that the extendible support arm extends inward, as substantially shown by <FIG>).

In embodiments, the paper towel roll holder 700a may be installed for optimal utility above the galley workdeck <NUM>, but below the upper level of, e.g., beverage maker compartments <NUM> or standard units (not shown). The paper towel roll holder 700a may be mounted proximate to a waste disposal unit <NUM> of the galley environment <NUM>, e.g., for simplified disposal of used paper towels.

Claim 1:
A paper towel roll holder (<NUM>), comprising:
a carrier section (<NUM>) mountable to a wall and terminating in a first support arm (<NUM>) extending at an angle therefrom, the first support arm including a rounded boss (<NUM>) configured to fit into an inner sleeve of a paper towel roll, the carrier section including a plurality of detents (<NUM>) set into at least one of a top side and a bottom side, each detent corresponding to a length of the paper towel roll holder;
and
a sleeve section (<NUM>) slidably attached to the carrier section, the sleeve section terminating in a second support arm (<NUM>), the second support arm including a second rounded boss (<NUM>) configured to fit into the inner sleeve opposite the first rounded boss, the sleeve section including at least one tab (<NUM>) configured to secure the paper towel roll holder at a desired length of a variety of possible desired lengths by removably locking into the plurality of detents, such that the paper towel roll holder (<NUM>) is capable of providing a range of adjustments of its length in order to accommodate a range of dimensionally different paper towel rolls,
the sleeve section configured to extend the length of the paper towel roll holder by sliding laterally relative to the carrier section.