U.S. patent application number 13/913800 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-06 for paper towel or toilet paper dispenser.
The applicant listed for this patent is Patrick Dane Rote. Invention is credited to Patrick Dane Rote.
Application Number | 20140034773 13/913800 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50024527 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140034773 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rote; Patrick Dane |
February 6, 2014 |
Paper Towel or Toilet Paper Dispenser
Abstract
There is provided an apparatus for dispensing paper towels or
toilet paper from a roll including first and second side walls. At
least one roller is located between the first and second side
walls. The apparatus for dispensing is adapted to receive the roll,
and the roller is adapted to make contact with the roll so that the
roll rotates freely on the roller while the paper towels or toilet
paper is being dispensed.
Inventors: |
Rote; Patrick Dane; (Green
Mountain, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rote; Patrick Dane |
Green Mountain |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50024527 |
Appl. No.: |
13/913800 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61678746 |
Aug 2, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/595.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/595.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a
roll comprising first and second side walls; at least one roller
located between the first and second side walls; the apparatus for
dispensing adapted to receive the roll; the roller is adapted to
make contact with the roll whereby the roll rotates freely on the
roller as the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.
2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including at least
one rod connecting the first side wall to the second side wall; the
roller being a hollow roller: the roller received over the rod so
that the roller is able to rotate about the rod.
3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further including a
plurality of rods configured to form a curved array between the
first and second side walls; a plurality of rollers; a roller
received over each rod.
4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a
plurality of rollers located between the first side wall and the
second side wall; the plurality of rollers forming a curved array;
a space for receiving a roll formed by the first and second side
walls and the curved array.
5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a first
stud extending from the first side wall and projecting towards the
second side wall; a second stud extending from the second side wall
and projecting towards the first side wall; the roller being a
hollow tube having a first opening at one end thereof and a second
opening at the other end thereof; the first stud received in the
first opening of the hollow tube and the second stud received in
the second opening of the hollow tube.
6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a first
recess in the first side wall; a second recess in the second side
wall; the roller having first and second ends; a first dowel
extending from the first end of the roller and a second dowel
extending from the second end of the roller; the first dowel
received in the first recess of the first side wall and the second
dowel received in the second recess in the second side wall.
7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further including a rear
wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall; the
space for receiving the roll formed by the first side wall, the
second side wall, the rear wall, and the curved array.
8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the rear wall
includes first and second mounting holes for mounting the
dispensing apparatus.
9. An apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a
roll comprising: first and second side walls; a plurality of
rollers located between the first and second side walls; the first
and second side walls having an upper portion and a lower portion;
at least one of the rollers located between the upper portions of
the first and second side walls and at least one of the rollers
located between the lower portions of the first and second side
walls; the rollers and the side walls forming a space for receiving
the roll; the rollers are adapted to make contact with the roll
whereby the roll may rotate freely an the rollers while the paper
towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.
10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further including a
plurality of rods connecting the first side wall to the second side
wall; the rollers formed as hollow tubes; each hollow tube roller
is received over a rod.
11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further including a
plurality of first studs extending from the first side wall; a
plurality of second studs extending from the second side wall; the
rollers formed as hollow tubes each having a first opening at one
end and a second opening at the other end; the first studs received
in the first openings and the second studs received in the second
openings.
12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further including a
plurality of first recesses in the first side wall and a plurality
of second recesses in the second side wall; the rollers having
first and second ends; a first dowel extending from the first end
of each roller and a second dowel extending from the second end of
each roller; the first dowels received in the first recesses in the
first wall and the second dowel received in the second recesses in
the second wall.
13. An apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a
roll comprising: a first side wall and a second side wall; at least
first, second and third rollers located between the first and
second side walls; each side wall having a front area, a middle
area, and a rear area; the first roller located between the front
area of each side wall; the second roller located between the
middle area of each side wall; and the third roller located between
the rear area of each side wall; the first roller being located
higher on the first and second side walls than the second and third
rollers; the rollers and the side walls forming a space for
receiving the roll; the rollers are adapted to make contact with
the roll whereby the roll may rotate freely on the rollers while
the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.
14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein the third roller
is located higher on the first and second side walls than the
second roller.
15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further including a
plurality of rods connecting the first side wall to the second side
wall; the rollers formed as hollow tubes; each hollow tube received
over a rod.
16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further including a
plurality of first studs extending from the first side wall and a
plurality of second studs extending from the second side wall; the
rollers formed as hollow tubes each having a first opening at one
end and a second opening at the other end; the first studs received
in the first openings and the second studs received in the second
openings.
17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further including first
recesses in the first wall and second recesses in the second wall;
the rollers having first and second ends; a first dowel extending
from the first end of each roller and a second dowel extending from
the second end of each roller; the first dowel received in the
first recesses in the first wall and the second dowel received in
the second recesses of the second wall.
Description
RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This is a U.S. non-provisional application relating to and
claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/678,746 filed Aug. 2, 2012.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates to toilet paper dispensers and paper
towel dispensers. Rolled paper dispensers for paper towels and
toilet paper normally include a housing or other support mechanism
for containing or supporting the rolled paper. The housing or
support mechanism often includes a means for attaching the
dispenser to a wall. Normally, the paper is rolled on a hollow tube
or core which supports the paper. Often the dispenser includes a
spindle which may be in the form of a solid or two piece removable
rod extending across the dispenser. The spindle receives the core
of the rolled paper and the rolled paper rotates about the spindle
as it is dispensed. In some cases, the dispenser includes a pair of
dowel pins on opposing ends which are received within a portion of
the core. The core rotates about these dowels while the paper is
dispensed.
[0003] With these prior art type dispensers, it is often difficult
to load the rolled paper into the dispenser. With a spindle type
dispenser, the spindle must be removed and placed through the core
of the rolled paper and the combination spindle and rolled paper Is
then installed within the dispenser. In the case of a two piece
spindle, which often includes a spring, the spring or one piece of
the dispenser may be dropped during installation. In situations
where the dispenser includes a pair of dowel pins, the dispenser
must be flexed outwardly in order to fit the rolled paper within
the dispenser and onto the dowel pins. In addition, once the rolled
paper has been installed in a dispenser, there can be arguments
among users as to whether the paper should come out of the top or
bottom of the dispenser. This is particularly a problem in the case
of toilet paper. Thus, there is a need for an improved dispenser
for paper towels and toilet paper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with one form of this invention, there is a
provided an apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper
from a roll. The apparatus includes first and second side walls. At
least one roller is located between the first and second side
walls. The apparatus for dispensing is adapted to receive the roll.
The roller is adapted to make contact with the roll so that the
roll may rotate freely on the roller as the paper towels or toilet
paper is being dispensed.
[0005] In accordance with another form of this invention, there is
provided an apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper
from a roll. The apparatus includes first and second side walls. A
plurality of rollers are located between the first and second side
walls. Each of the first and second side walls has an upper portion
and a lower portion. At least one of the rollers is located between
the upper portion of the first and second side walls and at least
cine of the rollers is located between the lower portion of the
first and second side walls. The rollers and the side walls form a
space for receiving the roll. The rollers are adapted to make
contact with the roll whereby the roll may rotate freely on the
rollers while the paper towels or toilet paper is being
dispensed.
[0006] In yet another form of this invention, there is provided an
apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll.
The apparatus includes first and second side walls. At least first,
second and third rollers are located between the first and second
side walls. Each side wall has a front area, a middle area and a
rear area. The first roller is located between the front areas of
the first and second side walls. The second roller is located
between the middle areas of the first and second side walls and the
third roller is located between the rear areas of the first and
second side walls. The first roller located higher on the first and
second side walls than the second and third rollers. The rollers
and the side walls form a space for receiving the roll. The rollers
are adapted to make contact with the roll whereby the roll may
rotate freely on the rollers while the paper towels or toilet paper
is being dispensed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
1 having a roll of paper towels received therein.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4
receiving a roll of toilet paper.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the roller
mechanism of the subject invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
roller mechanism of the subject invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the roller mechanism of the subject invention.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the
roller mechanism of the subject invention.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a non-rotating rod located
between the side walls of the dispensing apparatus.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of the invention utilizing the roller mechanism shown in
FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is provided
rolled paper dispenser 10 which is adapted to dispense household
rolled paper such as paper towels and toilet paper. Dispenser 10
includes side walls 12 and 14 and rear wall 16. Side walls 12 and
14 are attached to rear wall 16. Rear wall 16 includes holes 18 and
20 for receiving screws so that the dispensers 10 may be attached
to a wall. Rear wall 16 thus functions as a fastening bracket. A
plurality of non-rotating rods 22 are connected between side walls
12 and 14, preferably by glue. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there
are five rods 22. Hollow tubes or rollers 24 are received over rods
22. Preferably, all of the rollers 24 are free spinning. As shown
in FIG. 6, the inside diameter of roller 24 is slightly larger than
the outside diameter of rod 22 so that roller 24 may freely rotate
about rod 22. The dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-3 is sized to dispense
paper towels and the dispenser shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is sized to
dispense toilet paper. As can be seen in FIG. 3, paper towel roll
26 is received within space 28 created by side walls 12 and 14 and
curved array 30 formed by rollers 24. Preferably, rear wall 16
helps define space 28.
[0020] Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 5, the rolled
paper dispenser 10 and 10A enables the user to simply deposit a
paper towel roll 26 or toilet paper roll 32 into space 28 or 28A in
dispenser 10 or 10A without the need to remove a spindle for
insertion into the winding core of the paper towel roll 26 or
toilet paper roll 32. In addition, particularly in the case of
paper towels, there is no need to flex the sides of the dispenser
outwardly so that the towel roll is captured in the dispenser.
Since the rollers and the roll 26 or 32 are in contact and since
the rollers and the roll 26 or 32 both rotate, the dispensing of
the paper towels and toilet paper is smooth and substantially
effortless. Also, the paper towels from roll 26 or toilet paper
from roll 32 can be paid out either from the top or the bottom of
the roll. If a user does not like the fact that the toilet paper or
paper towels are being dispensed from the top, he or she can simply
remove the roll 26 or 32 from the dispenser 10 and flip it over.
Likewise, if the user does not like the fact that the paper towels
or toilet paper are being dispensed from the bottom, he or she can
flip it over. In addition, it has been found that the paper towel
roll and toilet paper rotates freely on rollers 24 so that payout
requires very little effort.
[0021] The free end 33 of roll 26 or 32 may be dispensed over
roller 24A or between rollers 24A and 24B. Preferably, the height
of the side walls 12 and 14 from the lowest roller to the highest
roller are at least one half the height of the paper towel roll 26
or the toilet paper roll 32 so that the rolls are captured in space
28.
[0022] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 6 in
that the rod 22 has been eliminated and replaced by pivot pins or
studs 34 and 36 which extend from each side wall and project toward
the opposite side wall only part way between side walls 12 and 14.
Hollow tube 24 includes first opening 25 at one end thereof and
second opening 27 in the other end thereof. Stud 36 is received in
opening 25 and stud 34 is received in opening 27. The inside
diameter of roller 24 is slightly larger than the outside diameter
of studs 34 and 36.
[0023] FIG. 8 shows yet another alternative embodiment to that of
FIG. 6 in that both the rod 22 and hollow roller 24 have been
replaced by a single roller 38. Side 12 includes recess 40 and side
14 includes recess 42. Dowel pin 44 extends outwardly from one side
of roller 38 and is received in recess 40 and dowel pin 46 which
extends outwardly from the other side of roller 38 is received in
recess 42. The diameter of recesses 40 and 42 is slightly larger
than the diameter of dowel pins 44 and 46.
[0024] FIG. 9 shows yet another alternative embodiment to that of
FIG. 6 in that hollow roller 24 has been replaced by plurality of
hollow beads 43. The hollow beads may be oval or round in shape and
are freely rotatable about rod 22.
[0025] FIG. 10 shows yet another alternative embodiment to that of
FIG. 6 in that hollow roller 24 has been eliminated.
[0026] FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment to the previously
described embodiments in that the rear all of the dispenser has
been eliminated so that dispenser 10C is not designed to be
connected to a wall. Dispenser 10C includes first end wall 12 and
second end wall 14. Five fixed rods 22 connect end walls 12 and 14
together. Five hollow rollers 24 are received over the five rods
22. Leg 19 is attached to end wall 12 and leg 21 is attached to end
wall 14. Legs 19 and 21 enable dispenser IOC to be placed on a
kitchen counter without the need to attach the dispenser to the
wall. The dispenser 10C of FIG. 11 is primarily only useful for
dispensing paper towels, although it could be used to dispense
toilet paper if it is sized properly.
[0027] FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment to that described in
FIG. 11. Dispenser 10d includes first end wall 12 and second end
wall 14. Five fixed rods 22 connect end walls 12 and 14 together. A
plurality of hollow beads are received over the five rods 22. In
the embodiment of FIG. 12, beads 43 are immediately adjacent to one
another. Beads 43 individually rotate and there is a small amount
of space between individual adjacent beads. In addition, there is a
small amount of space between end walls 12 and 14 and the beads
which are immediately adjacent to end walls 12 and 14. These spaces
and the fact that the inside diameter of the hollow portion of each
bead is slightly greater than the outside diameter of rod 22 permit
each individual bead to freely rotate.
[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1, each side wall 12 and 14 includes
an upper portion 45 and a lower portion 47. At least one of the
rollers 24 is located between the upper portions 45 of the first
and second side walls 12 and 14 and at least one of the rollers 49
Is located between the lower portions 47 of the first and second
side walls 12 and 14. Each side wall 12 and 14 also includes a
front area 51, a middle area 53, and a rear area 55. Roller 24 is
located in the front area 51 of the side walls 12 and 14. Roller 49
is located in the middle area 53 of the first and second side walls
12 and 14 and roller 57 is located in the rear area 55 of sides
walls 12 and 14. The first roller 24 is located higher on the side
walls 12 and 14 than the second roller 49 and the third roller
57.
[0029] From the foregoing description of the embodiments of the
invention, it will be apparent that many modifications may be made
therein. It will be understood that these embodiments of the
invention are exemplifications of the invention only and that the
invention is not limited thereto.
* * * * *