U.S. patent application number 10/134123 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-21 for paper towel and toilet tissue dispenser.
Invention is credited to Johnson, Gerald Wayne, Marti, Paula Earline, Marti, Roland Henry.
Application Number | 20020171003 10/134123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26831989 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020171003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson, Gerald Wayne ; et
al. |
November 21, 2002 |
Paper towel and toilet tissue dispenser
Abstract
All functions of this perforated paper towel and toilet tissue
dispenser can be performed single handedly, making this invention
ideally suited for the disabled, the elderly and children, allowing
the user to remove the desired amount of sheets, while having the
other hand encumbered. This is accomplished through unrolling and
tearing the desired number of sheets, with a cross handed motion,
while leaving the leading edge of the next sheet of paper exposed.
The tearing action activates the gripper bar, which in turn stops
the paper roll, which eliminates unraveling and is designed to
function throughout the entire length of any size paper roll. The
gripper bar design functions when tearing the paper in a horizontal
direction, a straight downward direction, or anywhere in between.
The dispenser's support spindle fits into the keyways with opposing
locators, and incorporates opposing handles, allowing single handed
exchange of any empty to a new roll.
Inventors: |
Johnson, Gerald Wayne;
(Mesquite, NV) ; Marti, Roland Henry; (Oceanside,
CA) ; Marti, Paula Earline; (Oceanside, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Roland Henry Marti
1344 Knoll Drive
Oceanside
CA
92054
US
|
Family ID: |
26831989 |
Appl. No.: |
10/134123 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60287368 |
May 1, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/598.3 ;
242/598.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/3863 20130101;
B65H 35/10 20130101; A47K 10/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/598.3 ;
242/598.5 |
International
Class: |
B65H 016/06 |
Claims
What we claim as our invention:
1. A paper towel and toilet tissue holder and dispenser assembly
for perforated paper roll material, which allows all functions,
including the tearing of a single or multiple sheets and the
replacement of a spent roll to be accomplished single-handedly and
is environmentally friendly by reducing paper consumption in excess
of 10% over conventional paper towel and toilet tissue dispensers,
is comprised of: A. A case with a back plate and integral side
plates, incorporating bilateral spindle locator slots, which allow
for the positive mounting of a spindle bar. B. Said case further
incorporates a top lip, which allows for the frame/gripper bar to
be locked in its upward most position, also for single handed paper
roll exchange. C. A spindle bar with fist length bilateral handles
and keyways, which in combination with the cases' spindle locator
slots allow for easy, single-handed paper roll replacement for both
right and left handed individuals. D. A swiveling top frame which
incorporates bilateral, semi-circular registration tabs, which
center and guide the paper towel and toilet tissue rolls and can
single-handedly be lifted to its top resting position while
replacing a spent paper towel or toilet tissue roll with a new one.
E. Said frame also incorporates bilateral swivel pins, which are
press-fit into the cases' swivel point mounting holes, for
permanent installation, thus indexing the frames' pivoting action
to coincide with the spindle center, enabling equal ease of
functionality through the entire supply of any size paper towel or
toilet tissue roll. F. Said frame also incorporates a gripper bar
with four raised, differentially angled longitudinal ribs, for the
paper towel dispenser, whereas the design for the toilet tissue
holder gripper ribs consist of two raised, serpentine differently
angled ribs. G. The leading edge of the paper towel or toilet
tissue is pulled over said gripper bar, thus halting the dispensing
or unraveling of the paper towel or toilet tissue roll during the
tearing action, which applies a downward force to the gripper bar,
thus engaging the gripper bar ribs onto the paper towel or toilet
tissue roll, allowing the single handed tearing of single or
multiple sheets of paper at their perforation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The prior art of perforated Paper Towel and Toilet Tissue
Holders and Dispensers are well known and varied. Paper Towels and
Toilet Tissues are used in most households and are supplied to the
consumer wound and perforated on a cardboard roll. Refer to USPTO
Classification 242, winding.
[0002] The perforations allow one or more sheets to be torn at any
time if the roll is supported to prevent unwanted sheets from
unraveling. This extra support is usually done with one hand while
severing by tearing the desired amount of sheets with the other
hand. Refer to USPTO Classification 225, severing by tearing.
[0003] Perforated Paper Towels and Toilet Tissue Holders and
Dispensers are usually supported on the sides of the Rolls by arms
to guide the Rolls to unwind in a straight manner. Refer to USPTO
Classification 242, guiding.
[0004] In the case of Toilet Tissue these guides are usually two
individual guides that are attached to a wall, supplied with a
spring-loaded spindle, which supports the toiled tissue roll. Refer
to USPTO Classification 211, supports.
[0005] For Paper Towels this guiding and supporting is accomplished
in several ways: The flat upright Dispensers, in most cases, do not
have supporting guiding arms but rather have a spindle attached to
a pedestal or base and sit in an upright position on a counter or
table. In this case the article dispensing is accomplished by
holding the Paper Towel Roll with one hand and tearing the desired
number of sheets with the other, to prevent unraveling. Refer to
USPTO Classification 221 dispensing and USPTO Classification 225,
severing by tearing.
[0006] Another more popular type of Paper Towel Dispenser has a
back plate with two mounting holes, which are usually attached by
two screws to a wall or under a counter. The back plate has two
guiding arms at each end at right angles to the back plate. The
supports for the Paper Towel Roll are two small round molded
plastic protrusions, one at each end of the guiding arms. They
extend approximately {fraction (1/2)} into the cardboard roll
center on both sides. This type of design frequently causes the
entire Paper Towel Roll to be pulled out of the dispenser, often
onto the floor. Refer to USPTO Classification 221 dispensing, USPTO
Classification 211, supports.
[0007] Similar types of Paper Towel and Toilet Tissue Holders and
Dispensers are made of wood or plastic and have back plates and
side arms with spring loaded, or notch supported spindles. These
and most other types of Paper Towel and Tissue Holders and
Dispensers require two hands to prevent the roll from unraveling or
falling off the Dispenser and becoming contaminated in the process
and are a cause of excessive waste. If a person has wet or dirty
hands the problem is compounded and re-rolling either product is
difficult and time consuming at best.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Paper Towel and Toilet Paper Dispenser
[0008] All functions of this perforated paper towel and toilet
tissue holder and dispenser can be performed single handedly,
making this invention ideally suited for the disabled, the elderly
and children. It allows the user to remove the desired amount of
sheets, while having the other hand encumbered. For example,
holding a child or performing another function. This is
accomplished through unrolling and tearing the desired sheet off
with a cross handed motion, leaving the leading edge of the next
sheet of paper exposed. The tearing action activates the gripper
bar 4 which stops the paper roll. The tearing action applies
downward pressure on the gripper bar 4, which in turn engages the
raised gripper bar ribs 5, against the paper towel roll or toilet
tissue roll. This stops further unraveling. The gripper bar 4 does
not cut. It provides a stopping action only. The paper towel holder
and dispenser has four raised differentially angled, longitudinal
ribs 5, running the length of the gripper bar 4. The design of the
gripper bar 4, for the toilet tissue holder and dispenser has two
raised serpentine, differently angled ribs 13. These also run the
length of the gripper bar 4. Both of the gripper bars 4 function
regardless of the initial size of the paper roll or the remaining
amount of sheets. The gripper bar 4 is also designed to function
when tearing the paper in a horizontal direction or a straight
downward direction, or anywhere in between. This is accomplished
through the pivoting action of the top frame 3, and keeps the angle
of the gripper bar 4 at a constant aspect ratio with the center of
the spindle 2, from full to empty paper towel and toilet paper
tissue rolls. The paper towel or toilet tissue support spindle or
roller 2 fits into two keyway slots 6 and has left and right
locators 10, allowing single handed removal of an empty roll or the
insertion of a new supply roll. The handles 11 on either side of
the spindle or roller 2 allow simplified, handicap-friendly
installation and removal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 THE FRONT PAGE VIEW is substantially a perspective
overview of the entire handicap helpful dispenser with case 1, both
the removable spindle or roll holder 2, as well as the top frame 3
and the gripper bar 4, which incorporates four raised,
differentially angled longitudinal ribs 5. A dashed line paper
towel or toilet tissue roll has been added for clarification.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the case 1, showing the spindle or
roller holder 2 keyways or slots 6 which allows for single handed
handicap friendly loading or unloading, and the swivel point holes
with lead-in edge 7.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the gripper bar 4,
showing the four raised, differently angled longitudinal ribs 5,
the swivel pin 8 and the semi-circular registration tabs 9.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of the round spindle or roller holder
2 showing the spindle locators 10 and handles 11, which allow easy
single handed installation or removal of an empty or full paper
roll.
[0013] FIG. 5 is the front view of the case 1, showing the two
mounting holes 12.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of the case 1, showing the two
countersunk mounting holes 12.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the paper towel frame 3, showing
the location of the gripper bar 4. The top frame 3 is an integral
part of the gripper bar 4 with four raised longitudinal,
differently angled, gripper bar ribs 5. Said ribs 5 apply to the
paper towel holder and dispenser only.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a partial view of the underside of the two raised,
differentially angled, serpentine gripper bar ribs 13, used only on
the toilet tissue dispenser. The case 1, the spindle or roll holder
2 and the trop frame 3 are identical to the paper towel holder and
dispenser. With the exception of their physical size to accommodate
toilet tissue rather then paper towels, and the toilet tissue
holder and dispenser gripper bar 4, comprising two raised
serpentine ribs 13, rather than four raised longitudinal ribs
5.
DETAILED DISCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Paper Towel and Toilet Tissue Dispenser
[0017] The perforated paper towel and toilet tissue dispenser shown
in the drawings has been Designed for use attached to a vertical
wall to provide support for the dispenser. This version of the
dispenser is not for use under a cabinet or shelf, although a
dispenser using the same principle is currently in the design
process for mounting on a vertical surface as well as a cabinet or
any horizontal surface.
[0018] The entire purpose of this invention was to design a paper
towel and toilet tissue dispenser that is handicap friendly and
suitable for use by the elderly and children. This is accomplished
by allowing all functions, from the tearing of a single sheet to
multiple sheets, to being able to remove a spent roll and
installing a new supply roll, single handedly. This invention is
also environmentally friendly, by reducing the paper consumption in
excess of 10%.
[0019] The design of this paper towel and toilet tissue holder and
dispenser with a top frame 3, equipped with a gripper bar 4,
consisting of four raised, differentially angled longitudinal ribs
5, which allows for the dispensing of single or multiple sheets as
desired. This is accomplished through the pivoting action of the
frame 3, and keeps the angle of the gripper bar 4 at a constant
aspect ratio with the center of the spindle 2, from full to empty
paper towel and toilet paper tissue rolls. The frame 3 is
permanently press-fit into the case 1. This is accomplished by
pushing the bilateral swivel pins 8 into the case's lead-in edge
swivel point mounting holes 7. The paper towel or toilet tissue
support spindle or roller 2 fits into two keyway slots 6 and has
left and right locators 10, allowing single handed removal of an
empty roll or the insertion of a new supply roll. The handles 11 on
either side of the spindle or roller 2 allow simplified,
handicap-friendly installation and removal. The gripper bar ribs 5,
ride along the entire length of the supply paper roll. The gripper
bar ribs 5 are also angled in relation to each other, to allow its
functionality to work from the beginning to the end of any size
supply roll. The gripper bar 4 and its ribs 5 are an integral part
of the frame 3. The end of the paper towel or toilet tissue sheet
is pulled over the top of the gripper bar 4 and its ribs 5,13. The
physical weight of the gripper bar 4 onto the paper roll acts as an
anti-backlash feature. For functionality reasons, the toilet tissue
holder and dispenser, is equipped with double serpentine ribs 13,
which also run the full length of the top frame 3. The top frame 3
also has bilateral registration tabs 9, used as a means of guiding
and centering the supply roll.
[0020] Tearing either paper towels or toilet tissue requires a
single-handed action, which is activated by the cross-handed motion
of pulling in either direction, this only tears the desired number
of sheets at a given time and at its perforation. The tearing
action provides the desired amount of sheets when torn in a
horizontal direction up to and including a straight downward
direction or anywhere in between.
[0021] The different gripper bar rib 4,13 design, function with
equal ease through the entire supply of any size roll. This
includes a full supply roll of paper towels and toilet tissue down
to and including all the remaining sheets on an essentially empty
roll. The paper roll registration tabs 9, on each side of the top
frame 3, guide the supply roll into the desired position to
maintain the center location. The top frame 3 is not removable but
can be raised vertically, thus resting against the back of the
dispenser case 1, for easy roll installation and removal.
[0022] The halting of the dispensing or unraveling of the paper
towel or toilet tissue roll is accomplished during the tearing
action, which applies a downward force to the gripper bar 4, thus
engaging the gripper bar ribs 5,13 onto the paper towel and toilet
tissue rolls. The toilet tissue gripper bar 4 accomplishes this
with two differentially angled serpentine gripper bar ribs 13. The
gripper bar ribs 5,13 do not cut during the tearing action allowing
the paper sheet or sheets to be severed at their perforations. This
innovation eliminates the all to common unwinding and having to
rewind a roll of paper towels or toilet tissue.
[0023] The dispenser 1 case back plate incorporates two counter
sunk mounting holes 12. The sides of the case 1, have two keyways
or slots 6 that the spindle or roller 2 fits into. The support
spindle or roller 2, has bilateral locators 10 and handles 11. This
allows a person to either remove an empty roll or install a full
supply roll single handedly. The purpose of the bilateral locators
10 and the positive action keyways or slots 6, in combination with
the top frame 3, eliminate a paper towel or tissue roll from
falling off the dispenser. This present invention fills a need and
provides a simplified method of dispensing only the desired amount
of sheets in a fast and easy manner and is designed for low-cost
manufacturing.
[0024] The devices can be made of various materials, such as metal,
wood, or various plastics. Plateable ABS injection molded plastic
will provide a flexible, durable and inexpensive superior product.
The dimensional tolerances of the entire assembly will be held to
{fraction (1/10,000)} inch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 THE FRONT PAGE VIEW is substantially a perspective
overview of the entire handicap helpful dispenser with case 1, both
the removable spindle or roll holder 2, as well as the top frame 3
with a quantity of four longitudinal gripper bars 4. A dashed line
paper towel or toilet tissue roll has been added for
clarification.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a side view of one of the cases 1, showing the
spindle or roller holder keyways or slots 6, which shows single
handed handicap friendly loading or unloading. The sides and the
back of the case 1 are a single unit. The two keyway slots 6, are
positioned at an optimum distance from the back of the case 1. This
keyway slot 6 spacing allows for any size paper towel or toilet
tissue roll to be loaded or unloaded single handedly. The spindle
or roller holder 2 fits into the keyway slots 6, for a fast and
easy method of insertion or removal of the supply spool. The swivel
point holes equipped with a lead-in edge 7 are shown.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the frame 3 showing
the gripper bar 4 with the integral four each longitudinal ribs 5,
which run the entire length of the bar 4. The frame 3, the gripper
bar 4 and the four raised differentially angled longitudinal ribs
5, are designed to halt the dispensing or unraveling of the paper
towel or toilet tissue roll during the tearing action. This applies
a downward force, thus engaging the gripper bar ribs 5,13 onto the
paper towel and toilet tissue rolls. In both cases the halting
action, while tearing, remains constant, whether the paper towel or
toilet tissue supply roll is full or empty. The two each
semicircular registration tabs 9 align the paper roll and maintain
that position during use. The registration tabs 9 extend below the
gripper bar 4.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a front view of the round spindle or roller holder
2 showing the locators 10 and handles 11, which allow easy single
handed installation or removal of an empty or full paper roll or
spindle 2. The round spindle or roller 2 is of a size to fit easily
into the keyway slots 6 in each of the sides of the case 1. The
locators 10 on the left and right side of the spindle or roll
holder 2 are circular in shape and are a larger diameter than the
spindle or roll holder 2. To the left and to the right of the
locators 10 are the handicap helpful handles 11. The handles 11 are
user-friendly due to the single-handed insertion or removal of the
spindle or roll holder 2. These handles 11 are used to top mount
the supply roll and are not spring-loaded. Most home products are
spring loaded and are difficult and awkward to install. These
single handed spindles or rollers 2 would be ideal for any setting
where speed of installation is required, as well as for use by the
disabled, the elderly or children.
[0029] FIG. 5 is the front view of the case 1 showing the two each
countersunk mounting holes 12 for fast and easy installation to a
vertical support surface. The spindle or roller holder 2 keyways or
slots 6 are also shown. Both back and sides of the case 1, form an
integral part. The sides of the case 1 are sloped down to the
keyway or indexing slots 6 and are identical.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a top view of the case 1 with two each countersunk
mounting holes 12 and integral case side plates 1 with keyway slots
6.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the top frame 3 showing the
location of the gripper bar 4. The top frame 3, for the paper towel
holder and dispenser, is an integral part of the gripper bar 4,
with four each differently angled longitudinal raised ribs 5, for
the paper towel holder and dispenser. The top frame 3 is not
removable but can be lifted to a vertical stationary position, to
facilitate the loading or unloading of the supply spindle or roller
2. When lifted the top frame 3 rests in a vertical position against
case 1. The bilateral swivel pins 8 are also shown and are
press-fit into the swivel pin holes 7.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a partial bottom view of the gripper bar 4 and the
serpentine gripper bar ribs 13, which applies only to the toilet
tissue holder and dispenser. The gripper bar 4 is located in the
same place as the gripper bar 4 on the paper towel top frame 3. The
two serpentine ribs 13 are used on the toilet tissue dispenser's
frame 3, due to the lighter weight of the toilet tissue vs. the
paper towel frame 3 and replace the gripper bar ribs 5 of the paper
towel holder and dispenser. The sides and back of the case 1 as
well as the spindle or roll holder 2 are identical to the paper
towel design. One difference is the substitution of the two raised,
differentially angled, serpentine gripper bar ribs 13 in place of
the longitudinal gripper ribs 5. The only other difference is the
physical size to accommodate a paper towel roll versus a toilet
tissue roll.
* * * * *