U.S. patent application number 10/444035 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-19 for paper towel holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Creative Bath Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Duncan, McKay, Williams, Kevin.
Application Number | 20040159738 10/444035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32853352 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040159738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duncan, McKay ; et
al. |
August 19, 2004 |
PAPER TOWEL HOLDER
Abstract
A paper towel holder includes a base with a central aperture and
a hollow spindle extending up from the base. A flexible disc is
secured to the underside of the base and has a substantially flat
bottom surface. A central aperture extends through the disc and
communicates with the hollow interior of the spindle. A valve stem
is slidably mounted in the spindle. The valve stem will fall
gravitationally into sealing engagement with portions of the disc
surrounding the central aperture so that the central aperture is
sealed. In this condition, any attempt to tilt or lift the paper
towel holder will create a partial vacuum beneath the disc that
will resist such lifting or tilting. However, the valve stem can be
lifted up relative to the remainder of the towel holder to open the
aperture in the disc. No partial vacuum will exist below the disc
and the paper towel holder can be moved easily.
Inventors: |
Duncan, McKay; (Brooklyn,
NY) ; Williams, Kevin; (Brooklyn, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CASELLA & HESPOS
274 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10016
|
Assignee: |
Creative Bath Products,
Inc.
Central Islip
NY
11722
|
Family ID: |
32853352 |
Appl. No.: |
10/444035 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60448156 |
Feb 14, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/597.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/3836 20130101;
B65H 16/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/597.7 |
International
Class: |
B65H 016/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A paper towel holder, comprising: a base with opposite top and
bottom faces and a central aperture extending through the base; a
substantially flat flexible disc secured to the bottom surface of
the base and having a central aperture extending therethrough and
communicating with the aperture in the base; a center support
mounted to the base and extending upwardly therefrom; and a valve
stem movably disposed relative to the base, the disc and the center
support for movement from a first position where said valve stem
seals said aperture through said disc and a second position where
said valve stem opens said aperture in said disc.
2. The paper towel holder of claim 1, wherein the paper towel
holder is for holding a roll of paper towels wound onto a core, the
core having a selected length, the center support of the paper
towel holder having a length substantially equal to the length of
the core of the roll of paper towels, the valve stem having an end
remote from said disc projecting beyond the end of the center
support to enable manipulation of said valve stem.
3. The paper towel holder of claim 1, wherein the disc has top and
bottom surfaces and an outer periphery, portions of the outer
bottom surface inwardly from the outer periphery are substantially
planar in an unbiased condition of the disc.
4. The paper towel holder of claim 3, wherein the disc has a
selected radius, and wherein the planar section of the bottom
surface of the disc extends inwardly from the outer periphery of
the disc for a distance at least approximately 60% of the
radius.
5. The paper towel holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of
the base includes at least one downwardly extending circumferential
wall contacting the top surface of the disc.
6. The paper towel holder of claim 1, further comprising a
generally U-shaped spring-biased gate pivotally mounted to
diametrically opposite positions on said base and biased toward the
center support.
7. The paper towel holder of claim 1, wherein the flat flexible
disc has a top surface facing the base and an annular valve seat
inwardly from the aperture in the base and surrounding the aperture
in the disc, the valve stem having a lower end configured for
engaging said valve seat of said disc.
8. The paper towel holder of claim 7, wherein the top of the disc
includes an annular collar surrounding the valve seat, the valve
stem being dimensioned for telescoped engagement in the collar of
the disc.
9. The paper towel holder of claim 1, wherein said valve stem has a
tip dimensioned for telescoping into the aperture in the disc when
the valve stem is in the first position, the tip including a
plurality of channels for permitting flow of air when the valve
stem is in the second position.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent
Appl. No. 60/448,156, filed Feb. 14, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a device for holding a roll of
paper towels on a horizontal surface so that the paper towels can
be dispensed efficiently and maintained neatly.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Paper towels typically are wound onto a hollow cylindrical
cardboard core that has an inside diameter of about 4 cm and a
length of about 28 cm. An elongate strip of the paper towels is
perforated, typically at 28 cm intervals, and is wound around the
core. Thus, rectangular towels can be torn from the roll and used
for a variety of household cleaning, drying and wiping chores.
[0006] Rolls of paper towels commonly are used in kitchens, and are
stored and employed most frequently near a kitchen sink.
Additionally, most households prefer to maintain the roll of paper
towels in a neat and orderly fashion to enhance the aesthetic
appearance of the kitchen. Accordingly, devices are widely employed
for storing rolls of paper towels in a manner than enables
rectangular sections of the paper towels to be separated from the
roll as needed.
[0007] Households periodically will want to access paper towels at
a location other than a location adjacent the sink. For example, it
may be necessary to employ paper towels on a kitchen island where
food is being prepared, at a dining counter in a kitchen or at
other locations. Additionally, there may be instances where a
household will want a kitchen to be especially attractive, and
hence will not want the roll of paper towels to be present at
all.
[0008] Some paper towel holders have a mounting panel and two end
panels. The mounting panel has a length approximately equal to the
length of the roll of paper towels and the end panels extend
perpendicularly from the mounting panel. The end panels each
include a central aperture configured to receive a spindle. Paper
towel holders of this type are employed by permanently securing the
mounting panel to an underside of a cabinet or to a wall so that
the end panels project away from the cabinet or wall. The roll of
paper towels is positioned between end panels with the central
aperture through the core of the roll of paper towels aligned with
the apertures through the end panels of the paper towel holder. The
spindle then is passed through the first end panel, through the
core of the roll of paper towels and then through the second end
panel. Thus, the roll of paper towels is rotationally mounted under
a cabinet or on a wall, and typically near a sink. This type of
prior art paper towel holder functions well. However, many
households would prefer not to mount a paper towel holder
permanently to a cabinet or wall. Additionally, paper towel holders
of this type do not permit the roll of paper towels to be moved
from one location to another in a kitchen. Furthermore, paper towel
holders of this type do not permit the paper towel holder to be
removed from view.
[0009] Some paper towel holders are configured to mount vertically
on a horizontal surface of a kitchen counter. These paper towel
holders typically include a horizontal base with a diameter
approximately equal to the diameter of a full roll of paper towels.
A spindle projects centrally up from the base and is
cross-sectionally dimensioned to telescope into the hollow core of
the roll of paper towels. A simple paper towel holder of this type
has two drawbacks. First, the free end of the roll of paper towels
is likely to unwind partly from the roll and will provide an
unsightly appearance. Additionally, forces exerted to tear a paper
towel from the roll can tip the entire paper towel holder. The
tipping of such a paper towel holder can damage glassware or other
fragile items that might be on a kitchen counter. Additionally,
such tipping presents an annoyance and inconvenience to the person
working in the kitchen.
[0010] Several attempts have been made to prevent the
above-described paper towel holder from tipping in response to
forces generated during the separation of a paper towel from the
roll. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,750 shows a paper towel
holder with a plurality of suction cups mounted to the lower face
of the base. Each suction cup includes a downwardly concave surface
that can be pressed downwardly against a horizontal surface on a
kitchen counter. These downward forces will urge air out from the
volume beneath the suction cup. The suction cup then will
resiliently return toward its initial position and create a low
pressure region beneath each suction cup. The low pressure tends to
hold the paper towel holder in position on the kitchen counter.
However, a paper towel holder of this type is difficult to move for
those situations when it is desired to have the paper towels at a
different location in the kitchen.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,973 shows a paper towel holder with a
single large suction cup mounted to the lower face of the base. The
suction cup includes a downwardly concave surface that can be
placed on the horizontal surface of the kitchen counter. The entire
holder is then pushed down so that air initially trapped beneath
the suction cup is urged outwardly. The suction cup then will
resiliently return slightly toward its original position, and hence
will create a low pressure region beneath the suction cup that
holds a paper towel holder in place, in much the same manner as in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,750. The suction cup of U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,973
also includes an upwardly projecting tab at an outer periphery of
the suction cup. The tab can be gripped between a thumb and
forefinger and lifted up to release the suction force. Thus, the
towel holder can be moved. The towel holder shown in U.S. Pat. No.
6,405,973 also includes a side bar that extends parallel to the
central spindle. The side bar is intended to minimize the unsightly
unwinding of the free end of the roll of paper towels. The towel
holder shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,973 can be difficult to release
from the supporting surface when the roll of paper towels is full
or nearly full. In particular, the tab is very near the outer
periphery of the roll of paper towels and hence can be difficult to
grip conveniently. Furthermore, the tab projecting up through the
base of the paper towel holder shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,973 is
an obtrusive appendage to an otherwise streamlined configuration.
Additionally, the side bar shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,973 is
effective for neatly holding the free end of the roll of paper
towels when the roll is full. However, the side bar is less
effective when the roll of paper towels is partly depleted.
Additionally, the device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,973 requires
the inconvenient downward pushing on the device to activate the
suction mechanism. The holder shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,973
would not work well if the user did not push the entire holder down
sufficiently or if the user forgot to push the holder down.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,007 shows a suction-mounted paper towel
holder that does not require the downward pushing of the entire
holder to activate the suction mechanism. Rather, the spindle of
the device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,007 includes a movable
section that is attached to the suction cup. The movable section
can be rotated and cooperates with a helical cam surface to pull
the center of the suction cup up. This upward movement of the
center part of the suction cup creates a low pressure that holds
the suction cup in place. The suction forces can be released by
rotating the movable member in the opposite direction to lower the
center of the suction cup. The required rotation of the movable
member to activate the suction cup is an inconvenience.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,527 shows a suction device that can be
adapted to a plurality of different articles that require secure
retention on a horizontal surface, but also require movement
periodically. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,527 provides a
downwardly concave suction device mounted to the underside of the
article that requires support. The suction device includes at least
one aperture at a central position for providing air communication
to the concave region beneath the suction device. The article that
requires support is movably mounted relative to the suction device
between a lower position where the article blocks the aperture
through the suction device and an upper position where the article
opens the aperture. This device is employed by mounting the concave
face of the suction device on the horizontal surface and then
pushing the article down. The downward movement simultaneous closes
the aperture in the suction device and forces air transversely out
of the suction device. The suction device then will resiliently
return toward an undeflected condition, but will remain in close
contact with the article that is being supported. Hence, the
aperture through the suction device remains closed and a low
pressure is created beneath the suction device to hold the article
securely on the supporting surface. The article can be moved merely
by lifting the article up relative to the suction device. This
upward movement of the article opens the aperture through the
suction device and releases the suction force that held the article
in place. The device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,527 works well
for those types of articles that are conveniently lifted. However,
some articles do not provide convenient region that can be gripped
and lifted to release a suction force. Additionally, the device
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,527 requires the inconvenient downward
pushing on the device to activate the suction mechanism.
[0014] The downwardly concave suction devices shown in the
above-described patents all are used in a condition where the
resilient material of the suction cups is urging the entire device
away from the supporting surface. Additionally, these suction
devices will flex during each removal of a paper towel. These
inherent resilient biasing forces of the suction devices when
combined with the periodic flexing of the suction devices will
cause minute amounts of air to seep into the space between the
supporting surface and the suction device. Hence, the supporting
forces of the suction devices will gradually weaken over time.
[0015] In view of the above, it is an object of the subject
invention to provide a device for securely holding an object to a
horizontal surface, such as a kitchen counter.
[0016] It is a particular object of the subject invention to
provide a paper towel holder that will securely hold the roll of
paper towels in a selected position on a horizontal surface.
[0017] It is another object of the subject invention to provide a
paper towel holder that does not require a downward force to be
activated.
[0018] It is a further object of the subject invention to provide a
paper towel holder that can be moved easily from one location to
another on a horizontal supporting surface.
[0019] It is still a further object of the subject invention to
provide a paper towel holder that will neatly contain the free end
of a roll of paper towels regardless of the number of paper towels
that remain on the roll.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The invention relates to a paper towel holder with a base
having opposite top and bottom faces and an aperture extending
continuously between the top and bottom faces. The base preferably
is formed from a substantially rigid material, such as a molded
synthetic resin. The bottom face of the base may be substantially
concave. In a preferred embodiment, the base includes a generally
planar top wall that includes the top face of the base. A generally
cylindrical skirt may extend down from the top wall concentrically
with the aperture.
[0021] The holder further includes a rigid generally tubular
spindle that extends upwardly from the top face of the base. The
tubular spindle preferably defines an outside cross-sectional
dimension less than the inside cross-sectional dimension of a roll
of paper towels. The tubular spindle further defines a length
approximately equal to the typical length of a roll of paper
towels. The tubular spindle includes a hollow interior extending
continuously from the top end to the bottom end of the spindle. The
hollow interior of the tubular spindle communicates with the
aperture in the base of the paper towel holder.
[0022] The paper towel holder further includes a thin flexible disc
with opposite top and bottom surfaces and a central aperture
extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The disc includes an
outer periphery that may substantially conform to the external
dimensions of the base of the paper towel holder. The bottom face
of the disc is substantially planar across a major portion of the
surface regions extending from the outer periphery toward the
central aperture. However, the bottom surface of the disc may
include a small concave region close to and surrounding the central
aperture. The upper surface of the disc is substantially planar or
slightly convex at locations extending inwardly from the outer
periphery of the disc. Any such slightly convex configuration for
the upper surface of the disc is attributable to a slightly greater
thickening of the disc at locations closer to the central aperture
through the disc. A generally cylindrical collar projects upwardly
from the upper surface of the disc at locations near the central
aperture through the disc. The collar has a greater thickness than
parts of the disc closer to the outer periphery. Hence, the collar
is at least somewhat rigid. The extreme upper end of the collar
preferably is substantially planar and circularly generated. A
valve seat is defined between the collar and the central aperture.
The upper surface of the disc may further include a short
frustum-shaped section surrounding the collar.
[0023] Portions of the upper surface of the disc surrounding the
mounting collar are securely affixed to the lower face of the base
so that the central aperture through the disc communicates with the
central aperture through the base and with the hollow center of the
tubular spindle. Portions of the disc extending a substantial part
of the distance inwardly from the outer periphery toward the collar
are sufficiently thin to exhibit flexibility in response to forces
exerted on the disc. Additionally, the substantially planar lower
surface of the disc preferably is very smooth to provide good
surface-to-surface contact with a smooth supporting surface, such
as the supporting surface of a kitchen countertop.
[0024] The paper towel holder further includes an elongated valve
stem having opposite top and bottom ends. The valve stem is
disposed slidably in the tubular spindle for at least limited axial
movement therein. A valve surface is defined at or near the bottom
end of the valve stem and is configured for sealing engagement with
the valve seat on the disc when the valve stem is in its lower
position relative to the tubular spindle of the paper towel holder.
However, the valve surface of the valve stem is spaced above the
valve seat on the disc when the valve stem is in its upper
position. The top end of the valve stem preferably is disposed
above the top end of the tubular spindle to facilitate manual
gripping and movement of the valve stem relative to the tubular
spindle.
[0025] The paper towel holder may further include a towel stop
hingedly mounted to the base and biased into a position toward the
tubular spindle.
[0026] The paper towel holder is employed by rotating the stop away
from the tubular spindle and then telescoping a roll of paper
towels over the tubular spindle. The paper towel stop then is
permitted to move resiliently toward the outer layer of paper
towels on the roll so that the towel stop engages at least part of
the outer layer for holding the outer layer of paper towels closely
against inner layers, and thereby preventing an unsightly unwinding
of paper towels from the roll. The assembly of the paper towel
holder and a roll of paper towels then is merely supported on a
generally horizontal supporting surface, such as a kitchen
countertop. In this position, the lower surface of the disc assumes
its natural substantially flat state across a major portion of the
bottom surface of the flat disc. Thus, the bottom surface of the
flat disc is disposed substantially in face-to-face contact with
the supporting surface. In this condition, there is no active
gripping force between any part of the paper towel holder and the
supporting surface. As a result, a horizontal force exerted on the
paper towel holder may permit the paper towel holder to slide
horizontally on the supporting surface.
[0027] Paper towels can be removed from the paper towel holder
merely by pulling the free end of the roll of paper towels
generally horizontally and then pulling the paper towels downwardly
to sever a towel or a plurality of towels from the remainder of the
roll along a perforation line. Forces generated by pulling on the
paper towels are in a direction that could tend to tip the paper
towel holder. However, such forces will not affect the position of
the valve stem relative to the disc. Hence, the valve surface of
the valve stem will remain in sealing contact with the valve seat
of the disc. As a result, a slight tipping or lifting of the paper
towel holder will cause the base to tilt or lift and will elevate
the center portion of the flexible disc upwardly relative to the
supporting surface. However, outer peripheral regions of the disc
are very flexible, and hence will remain in contact with the
supporting surface. Consequently the volume beneath the flexible
disc will increase without directing additional air into the volume
beneath the disc. Accordingly, a low pressure condition will exist
beneath the disc, and the lower pressure will resist and/or prevent
the tipping or lifting of the paper towel holder. Accordingly, the
paper towel holder is highly stable.
[0028] The paper towel holder can be moved readily from one
location to another merely by gripping the valve stem at a location
adjacent the top end of the tubular spindle and slightly above the
top end of the roll of paper towels mounted on the paper towel
holder. The valve stem then is lifted to separate the valve face of
the valve stem from the valve seat of the disc. Accordingly, the
region of the paper towel holder beneath the disc is placed in
communication with the ambient air pressure in areas between the
tubular spindle and the valve stem. Thus, there is no low pressure
region pulling the paper towel holder down, and the paper towel
holder can be lifted easily for repositioning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a paper towel holder in
accordance with the subject invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but
showing a roll of paper towels mounted to the paper towel
holder.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the paper towel
holder.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the paper towel holder.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the paper towel
holder.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the paper towel holder.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in
FIG. 3 and showing the actuator in sealing engagement with the
flexible disc.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but
showing the actuator in a different position relative to the
tubular support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] A paper towel holder in accordance with the subject
invention is identified generally by the numeral 10 in FIGS. 1-5.
The paper towel holder 10 includes a base 12 unitarily molded from
a rigid plastic material and including a generally planar circular
top wall 14 and a generally cylindrical skirt 16 that extends down
from the top wall 14. The top wall includes a top surface 18, a
bottom surface 20 and a central aperture 22 that extends between
the top and bottom surfaces 18 and 20. Inner and outer cylindrical
support walls 24 and 26 extend down from the bottom surface 20 of
the top wall 14 and are disposed substantially concentrically to
both the central aperture 22 and the skirt 16. The support walls 24
and 26 contribute to the structural support for the base 12.
[0038] The paper towel holder 10 further includes a hollow
substantially cylindrical spindle 30 with a top end 32, a bottom
end 34 and a cylindrical passage 36 extending between the ends. The
bottom end 34 of the spindle 30 is mounted securely to the central
top wall 14 of the base 12 at a location concentric to the central
aperture 22 in the top wall 14. Thus, the passage 36 through the
spindle 30 communicates with the aperture 22 through the base 12.
The spindle 30 defines an outside diameter "a" that is less than
the inside diameter of the core about which paper towels are
rolled. The spindle 30 further defines a length "b" measured from
the top surface 18 of the base 12 to the top end 32 of the spindle
30 that substantially equals the length of the core about which the
paper towels are rolled. In the preferred embodiment, the length
"b" is approximately 28 cm. The passage 36 through the spindle 30
defines an inside diameter "c" for a major portion of the length of
the spindle 30. However, the spindle 30 is characterized by an
inwardly extending flange 38 adjacent the top end 32. The flange 38
defines an inside diameter "d" that is less than the inside
diameter "c" at other locations along the passage 36.
[0039] The paper towel holder 10 further includes a disc 40 formed
from a soft PVC. A preferred PVC has a durometer reading of 70
Shore A and a density of approximately 1.2 g/cm.sup.3. The disc 40
has a top surface 42, a bottom surface 44 and a substantially
circular outer periphery 46. A central aperture 48 extends through
the disc 40 from the top surface 42 to the bottom surface 44 at a
location concentrically disposed with respect to the circular outer
periphery 46. The bottom surface 44 includes a substantially planar
section 50 that extends inwardly from the outer periphery 46 a
major portion of the radial distance toward the central aperture
48. In a preferred embodiment, the planar section 50 of the bottom
surface 40 extends inwardly from the outer periphery 46 a distance
equal to at least about 60% of the radial dimension of the disc 40.
The bottom surface 44 further includes a generally frustum-shaped
concave region 52 that extends between the planar surface 50 and
the central aperture 48.
[0040] The top surface 42 of the disc 40 also includes a
substantially flat section 54 that extends a major portion of the
distance inwardly from the outer periphery 46. The substantially
flat section 54 can be nearly perfectly planar or generated as a
very shallow cone. With the later option, the thickness dimension
of the disc 40 will increase slightly from the outer periphery 46
toward inner regions on the substantially flat section 54 of the
top surface 42. The distance between the substantially planar
section 50 of the bottom surface 44 and the substantially flat
section 54 of the top surface 42 is sufficiently small so that
these regions of the disc 40 are easily flexible. Additionally the
molding of the disc 40 preferably is carried out so that the planar
section 50 is very smooth for achieving good surface-to-surface
contact with a correspondingly smooth supporting surface.
[0041] A short tubular collar 56 with an inside diameter "e"
extends up from the top surface 42 concentrically with the central
aperture 48 through the disc 40. The collar 56 is dimensional to
fit in the central aperture 22 through the top wall 14 of the base
12. A valve seat 58 extends between the central aperture 48 in the
disc 40 and the tubular collar 56. The valve seat 58 is
substantially planar and substantially parallel to the planar
surface 50 on the bottom of the disc 40. Portions of the top
surface 42 between the collar 56 and the substantially flat section
54 define a frustum with a greater thickness and more rigidity than
outer peripheral regions of the disc 40.
[0042] The paper towel assembly 10 further includes an elongate
valve stem 60. The valve stem 60 has a top end 62 and a bottom end
64. The valve stem 60 is slidably received in the passage 36 of the
spindle 30 for limited vertical movement within the passage 36. The
valve stem 60 includes an outwardly extending flange 66 near the
top end 62. The flange 66 defines an outside diameter that is less
than the inside diameter "c" of the passage 36 through the spindle
30, but greater than the inside diameter "d" defined by the flange
38 at the top end 32 of the center support 30. As a result, the
valve stem 60 can slide through a limited upward range of movement
within the passage 36 until the outwardly extending flange 66 on
the valve stem 60 abuts the inwardly extending flange 38 on the
center support 30.
[0043] A tip 68 is defined adjacent the bottom end 64 of the valve
stem 60 and is cross-sectionally dimensioned to telescope into the
passage 48 through the disc 40. However, the tip 48 does not
include a smooth cylindrical outer surface. Rather, the tip 68 is
characterized by a plurality of axially extending passages 70 in
the outer surface. A circular valve wall 72 projects outwardly from
the tip 68 and includes a generally planar surface aligned
substantially perpendicular to the axis of the valve stem 60. The
circular wall 72 defines an outside diameter equal to or slightly
less than the inside diameter "e" of the tubular collar 56 on the
disc 40. As a result, the valve wall 72 can be telescoped into a
collar 56 and can sealingly engage the valve seat 58 on the top
surface of the disc 40. Portions of the valve stem 60 between the
valve wall 72 and the flange 66 are cross-sectionally smaller than
the passage 36 through the center spindle 30. Additionally, these
portions of the valve stem 60 between the valve wall 72 and the
flange 66 are not cylindrical and include a plurality of axial
extending passages. As a result, a substantial volume of air exists
between the center support 30 and the valve stem 60.
[0044] The valve stem 60 includes mounting structure 74 at
locations adjacent the top end 62. In a preferred embodiment, the
mounting structure 74 has two diametrically opposed L-shaped
channels that form a bayonet-type connection. However, other types
of connections can be provided.
[0045] The paper towel holder 10 further includes an actuator
handle 80 that is telescoped over the top end 62 of the valve stem
60 and releasably engaged with the mounting structure 74 thereon.
The actuator handle 80 defines a shape convenient for gripping and
manipulation and has an outside cross-sectional dimension that
exceeds the inside diameter of the core for a roll of paper
towels.
[0046] The paper towel holder 10 further includes a generally
U-shaped gate 82 having opposed ends 84 that are hinged to
diametrically opposed positions on the cylindrical skirt 16 of the
base 12. Additionally, springs (not shown) are provided for biasing
the gate 82 upwardly and toward the center spindle 30.
[0047] The paper towel holder 10 is assembled by first telescoping
the top end 62 of the valve stem 60 into the bottom end 34 of the
center spindle 30. This upward telescoped movement of the valve
stem 60 in the center spindle 30 terminates when the flange 66 of
the valve stem 60 abuts the inward flange 38 of the center spindle
30. In this position, the extreme top end 62 of the valve stem 60
projects up beyond the top end 32 of the center support 30. The
actuator handle then may be engaged with the mounting structure 74
adjacent the top end 62 of the valve stem 60. The actuator handle
80 is cross-sectionally larger than the inside diameter "d" of the
inward flange 38 of the center support 30. Hence, the actuator
handle 80 limits downward telescoped movement of the valve stem 60
within the center support 30.
[0048] Portions of the top surface 42 of the disc 40 disposed
outwardly from the collar 56 then are secured to portions of the
bottom surface 20 of the top wall 14 of the base 12 so that the
central aperture 48 through the disc 40 is concentric with the
central aperture 22 in the base 12. In this position, the mounting
collar 58 projects slightly into the passage 36 of the center
spindle 30 adjacent the bottom end 34 thereof.
[0049] The paper towel holder 10 can be employed merely by gently
placing the bottom surface 44 of the disc 40 on a flat relatively
smooth surface, such as a kitchen countertop. The relatively smooth
flat section 50 of the bottom surface 44 of the disc 40 will
achieve good surface-to-surface contact with the supporting
surface, such as--the kitchen countertop. In this position, the
valve stem 60 will be urged gravitationally downward so that the
tip 68 adjacent the bottom end 64 of the valve stem 60 telescopes
into the aperture 48 through the disc. Additionally, the valve wall
72 adjacent the tip 60 will sealingly engage the valve seat 58 of
the disc 40 at locations inwardly from the collar 56.
[0050] A roll of paper towels can be mounted to the paper towel
holder 10 merely by separating the actuator handle 80 from the
valve stem 60 and then telescoping the core of the paper towel roll
over the top end 32 of the center spindle 30. The gate 82 will have
to be rotated against the biasing forces of the springs so that the
bottom end of the roll of paper towel can be seated adjacent the
top surface 18 of the top wall 14. The gate 82 then can be
released, and the biasing forces of the springs will urge the gate
82 into engagement with the outer layer of the roll of paper
towels. The actuator handle 80 then can be mounted again onto the
top end 62 of the valve stem 60.
[0051] No downward force is required to actuate a secure gripping
of the paper towel holder 10 with the supporting surface. In fact,
any downward force that might be applied would be transferred from
the inner and outer cylindrical walls 24 and 26 to the
substantially flat top surface 42 of the disc 40. The cylindrical
walls 24 and 26 align with the planar section 50 of the bottom
surface 44, and hence any downward forces would not cause any
significant change in shape of the disc 40. A transverse force
perpendicular to the axis of the center spindle 30 could be exerted
on the paper towel holder and the roll of paper towels to slide the
paper towel holder 10 from one location to another on a supporting
surface.
[0052] Paper towels may be dispensed from the paper towel holder 10
by merely grabbing the free end of the paper towel roll, pulling a
selected number of panels from the roll and then urging the free
end of the paper towels down relative to the paper towel holder 10.
These forces will generate a moment on the paper towel holder 10
that conceivably could tip a conventional paper towel holder.
However, any such moment will cause a lifting and/or tilting of the
base 12 and center spindle 30. However, the thin regions of the
disc 40 inwardly from and adjacent to the outer periphery 46 of the
disc 40 are very flexible and will remain in contact with the
supporting surface as the more rigid components of the paper towel
holder 10 start to move. As a result, the volume beneath the disc
40 will increase significantly beyond the small volume provided by
the concave frustum-shaped section 52. The increase in volume
without a corresponding increase in air will create a partial
vacuum that will resist the tilting forces generated in response to
the tearing of a paper towel from the roll. As a result, the paper
towel holder 10 will not tip completely. In a similar manner, the
paper towel holder 10 near a work area of a kitchen could be struck
inadvertently by an arm, hand, platter or kitchen tool being moved
near the work area. Such contact also will generate moments that
could tip a conventional paper towel holder and cause damage to
nearby glassware or dishes. However, the above-described partial
vacuum will be created in response to such inadvertent contact and
will prevent the paper towel holder 10 from tipping.
[0053] The paper towel holder 10 will have to be moved from
time-to-time for cleaning the countertop or for paper towel holder
in a location where the paper towels are needled. Such movement of
a conventional suction cup mounted appliance can be complicated and
may require manipulation of peripheral regions of the suction cup.
In this instance, however, it is merely necessary to grip the
actuator handle 80 and exert a slight upward lifting force. These
forces will cause the valve stem 60 to move up and away from the
valve seat 58. As a result, the area beneath the disc 40 is exposed
to ambient pressure conditions. The upward movement of the valve
stem 60 will end when the outward flange 66 on the valve stem abuts
the inward flange 38 on the center spindle 30. Hence, further
lifting forces on the actuator handle 80 will enable the relatively
light paper towel holder 10 to be lifted from the supporting
surface and relocated to a more preferred position.
* * * * *