U.S. patent application number 14/047147 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-26 for paper roll dispenser with anti-theft and anti-waste features.
The applicant listed for this patent is Wesley Andrei. Invention is credited to Wesley Andrei.
Application Number | 20140175212 14/047147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50973531 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140175212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andrei; Wesley |
June 26, 2014 |
Paper Roll Dispenser with Anti-Theft and Anti-Waste Features
Abstract
A paper roll dispenser features a pair of parallel channel
members defining respective channels having open sides facing
toward one another, and each being closed on three remaining sides
around the channel. One of the channel members features an opening
in a central wall of the channel for insertion of an elongated
support member through the opening into a position seating opposite
ends of the support member respectively within the two channels
with a paper roll rotatably disposed on the support member between
the two channel members. The support member and channels are
dimensioned so as to prevent tilting of the support member in a
manner allowing withdrawal thereof from the channels until the
paper roll is entirely, or at least substantially, consumed, thus
preventing theft of the paper roll.
Inventors: |
Andrei; Wesley; (Regina,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Andrei; Wesley |
Regina |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
50973531 |
Appl. No.: |
14/047147 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61725217 |
Nov 12, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/598.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20130101;
A47K 2010/3872 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/598.3 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38 |
Claims
1. A paper roll dispenser for supporting a roll of paper product
for dispensing of pieces of said product from off said roll, the
dispenser comprising: a first and second channel members extending
parallel to one another in a first direction and being spaced apart
from one another in a second direction perpendicular to said first
direction, each channel member defining a respective channel that
has a length running in the first direction and is bordered by
channel walls running in the first direction on three respective
sides of the channel, the channel walls of each channel member
comprising a central channel wall disposed at an outer side of the
channel member opposite the other channel member and two side
channels walls projecting from said central channel toward the
other channel member at spaced apart positions leaving a fourth
side of the channel open at an inner side of the channel member
opposite the central channel wall, the inner sides of the two
channel members being spaced apart by a first distance that only
slightly exceeds an axial length of the roll of paper product, and
access to each channel at longitudinal ends thereof being closed
off; an insertion feature opening into the channel of the first
channel member through the central channel wall thereof; an
elongated support member having axial length that is greater than
the first distance between the inner sides of the two channel
members and less than a second distance between the central channel
walls of the channel members, and a cross-section sized and shaped
for axial passage of at least one end of the elongated supported
member through the opening in the first channel member with only a
slight clearance, and also through an axial hole of the roll of
paper product; whereby the roll of paper product is supportable on
the dispenser by using the insertion feature to place the elongated
support member in an installed position placing the opposite ends
of the elongated support member respectively in the channels of the
channel members with the roll rotatably disposed around the support
member for support between the channel members.
2. The paper roll dispenser of claim 1 wherein the elongate support
member is slidable back and forth in the channels in first
direction.
3. The paper roll dispenser of claim 1 wherein the channel members
are horizontally spaced apart and obliquely positioned to slope
upwardly away from a connecting feature that joins together lower
ends of the two channel members.
4. The paper roll dispenser of claim 3 wherein the connecting
feature is part of a mounting bracket for attaching the paper roll
dispenser to an upright surface of a support structure, the channel
members projecting to one side of said mounting bracket to extend
outwardly away from said support structure.
5. The paper roll dispenser of claim 1 wherein the central channel
wall of the lacks a sufficiently sized opening for insertion of the
elongate support member therein.
6. The paper roll dispenser of claim 5 wherein the channel of the
second channel member is fully closed at the outer side of said
second channel member.
7. The paper roll dispenser of claim 1 wherein a width of each
channel between the side walls thereof is no greater than a
diameter of the axial hole of the roll of paper product.
8. The paper roll dispenser of claim 1 wherein the insertion
feature in the central channel wall of the first channel member is
spaced above a bottom one of the side walls of the channel of said
first channel member to prevent alignment of the elongated support
member with said insertion feature when said elongated support
member lies on said bottom one of the side walls.
9. The taper roll dispenser of claim 1 wherein the elongate support
member is a cylindrical member having a diameter less than a length
and width of each channel.
10. A paper roll dispenser for supporting a roll of paper product
for dispensing of pieces of said product from off said roll, the
dispenser comprising: a first and second channel members extending
parallel to one another in a first direction and being spaced apart
from one another in a second direction perpendicular to said first
direction, each channel member defining a respective channel that
has a length running in the first direction and is bordered by
channel walls running in the first direction on three respective
sides of the channel, the channel walls of each channel member
comprising a central channel wall disposed at an outer side of the
channel member opposite the other channel member and two side
channels walls projecting from said central channel toward the
other channel member at spaced apart positions leaving a fourth
side of the channel open at an inner side of the channel member
opposite the central channel wall, the inner sides of the two
channel members being spaced apart by a first distance that only
slightly exceeds an axial length of the roll of paper product, and
access to each channel at longitudinal ends thereof being closed
off; an opening extending into the channel of the first channel
member through the central channel wall thereof; an elongated
support member having an axial length that is greater than the
first distance between the inner sides of the two channel members
and less than a second distance between the central channel walls
of the channel members, and a cross-section sized for axial passage
of the elongated supported member through the opening in the first
channel member with only a slight clearance, and also through an
axial hole of the roll of paper product; whereby the roll of paper
product is supportable on the dispenser by receipt of the roll
between the channel members with the axial hole of the roll aligned
with the opening in the first channel member and passage of the
elongated support member through the aligned opening and axial hole
to place opposite ends of the elongated support member respectively
in the channels of the channel members to rotatably support the
roll between the channel members on the elongate support
member.
11. A paper roll dispenser for supporting a roll of paper product
for dispensing of pieces of said product from off said roll, the
dispenser comprising: a first and second channel members extending
parallel to one another in a first direction and being spaced apart
from one another in a second direction perpendicular to said first
direction, each channel member defining a respective channel that
has a length running in the first direction and is open at an inner
side of the channel member facing toward the other channel member,
the inner sides of the two channel members being spaced apart by a
first distance that exceeds an axial length of the roll of paper
product; an elongated support member having an axial length that is
greater than the first distance between the inner sides of the two
channel members and less than a second distance between the central
channel walls of the channel members, and a cross-sectional size
less than the axial length and sufficiently small for axial passage
of the elongated supported member through an axial hole of the roll
of paper product, opposite ends of the elongated support member
being respectively receivable in the channels in a condition
slidable back and forth in the channels in the first direction.
14. The paper roll dispenser of claim 13 mounted in an installed
position on an upright support structure, wherein the channels of
the channel members are positioned to slope upwardly away from the
upright support structure, whereby downward pulling of a free end
of the roll will act to force the roll downwardly toward the
support structure to abut the roll against a connecting feature
spanning between lower ends of the channel members.
15. The paper roll dispenser of claim 13 wherein the channel
members are arranged for mounting on an upright support structure
in an installed position in which the channels slope upwardly away
from the upright support structure, whereby downward pulling of a
free end of the roll will act to force the roll downwardly toward
the support structure to abut the roll against a connecting feature
spanning between lower ends of the channel members.
16. The paper roll dispenser of claim 14 wherein the connecting
feature is part of a mounting bracket for attaching the paper roll
dispenser to the upright support structure, the channel members
projecting to one side of said mounting bracket to extend outwardly
away from said support structure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit under 25 U.S.C. 119(e) of
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/725,217, filed Nov. 12,
2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to dispensers for
rotatably supporting toilet paper or other rolled paper products,
and more particularly to a dispenser with unique anti-theft and
anti-waste features that prevent removal of the roll support member
until the roll is substantially empty and inhibit or allow rotation
of the roll depending on a direction in which force is applied to
the roll by the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A known problem with toilet paper dispensers used in public
washrooms are theft of toilet paper rolls, and deployment of wasted
sheets from toilet paper rolls, each of which has a cost to the
provider who keeps the washroom supplies stocked.
[0004] Applicant has developed a unique dispenser that provides
anti-theft and anti-waste functionality without the need for keys
or specialized tools to facilitate replacement of an empty
roll.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a paper roll dispenser for supporting a roll of paper
product for dispensing of pieces of said product from off said
roll, the dispenser comprising:
[0006] a first and second channel members extending parallel to one
another in a first direction and being spaced apart from one
another in a second direction perpendicular to said first
direction, each channel member defining a respective channel that
has a length running in the first direction and is bordered by
channel walls running in the first direction on three respective
sides of the channel, the channel walls of each channel member
comprising a central channel wall disposed at an outer side of the
channel member opposite the other channel member and two side
channels walls projecting from said central channel toward the
other channel member at spaced apart positions leaving a fourth
side of the channel open at an inner side of the channel member
opposite the central channel wall, the inner sides of the two
channel members being spaced apart by a first distance that only
slightly exceeds an axial length of the roll of paper product, and
access to each channel at longitudinal ends thereof being closed
off;
[0007] an insertion feature opening into the channel of the first
channel member through the central channel wall thereof;
[0008] an elongated support member having axial length that is
greater than the first distance between the inner sides of the two
channel members and less than a second distance between the central
channel walls of the channel members, and a cross-section sized and
shaped for axial passage of at least one end of the elongated
supported member through the opening in the first channel member
with only a slight clearance, and also through an axial hole of the
roll of paper product;
[0009] whereby the roll of paper product is supportable on the
dispenser by using the insertion feature to place the elongated
support member in an installed position placing the opposite ends
of the elongated support member respectively in the channels of the
channel members with the roll rotatably disposed around the support
member for support between the channel members.
[0010] Preferably the elongate support member is slidable back and
forth in the channels in first direction.
[0011] Preferably the channel members are horizontally spaced apart
and obliquely positioned to slope upwardly away from a connecting
feature that joins together lower ends of the two channel
members.
[0012] Preferably the connecting feature is part of a mounting
bracket for attaching the paper roll dispenser to an upright
surface of a support structure, the channel members projecting to
one side of said mounting bracket to extend outwardly away from
said support structure.
[0013] Preferably the central channel wall of the second channel
member lacks a sufficiently sized opening for insertion of the
elongate support member therein.
[0014] Preferably the second channel member is fully closed at the
outer side of said second channel member.
[0015] Preferably a width of each channel between the side walls
thereof is no greater than a diameter of the axial hole of the roll
of paper product.
[0016] Preferably a width of the elongate support member is less
than the length of each channel.
[0017] In one embodiment, the width of the elongate support member
is greater than a width of each channel, as measured between the
channel side walls. In such an embodiment, the support member may
comprise a bar of greater length than width and greater width than
thickness, and the insertion feature in the central channel wall of
the first channel member may be an elongated slot running
lengthwise in the first direction.
[0018] In another embodiment, the elongate support member is a
cylindrical member, a diameter of which defines the width of the
elongated support member and is less than the width of each
channel. In such an embodiment, the insertion feature in the
central channel wall of the first channel member is preferably a
circular through-hole.
[0019] Preferably the insertion feature in the central channel wall
of the first channel member is spaced above a bottom one of the
side walls of the channel of said first channel member to prevent
alignment of the elongated support member with said insertion
feature when said elongated support member lies on said bottom one
of the side walls.
[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a paper roll dispenser for supporting a roll of paper
product for dispensing of pieces of said product from off said
roll, the dispenser comprising:
[0021] a first and second channel members extending parallel to one
another in a first direction and being spaced apart from one
another in a second direction perpendicular to said first
direction, each channel member defining a respective channel that
has a length running in the first direction and is bordered by
channel walls running in the first direction on three respective
sides of the channel, the channel walls of each channel member
comprising a central channel wall disposed at an outer side of the
channel member opposite the other channel member and two side
channels walls projecting from said central channel toward the
other channel member at spaced apart positions leaving a fourth
side of the channel open at an inner side of the channel member
opposite the central channel wall, the inner sides of the two
channel members being spaced apart by a first distance that only
slightly exceeds an axial length of the roll of paper product, and
access to each channel at longitudinal ends thereof being closed
off;
[0022] an opening extending into the channel of the first channel
member through the central channel wall thereof;
[0023] an elongated support member having axial length that is
greater than the first distance between the inner sides of the two
channel members and less than a second distance between the central
channel walls of the channel members, and a cross-section sized for
axial passage of the elongated supported member through the opening
in the first channel member with only a slight clearance, and also
through an axial hole of the roll of paper product;
[0024] whereby the roll of paper product is supportable on the
dispenser by receipt of the roll between the channel members with
the axial hole of the roll aligned with the opening in the first
channel member and passage of the elongated support member through
the aligned opening and axial hole to place opposite ends of the
elongated support member respectively in the channels of the
channel members to rotatably support the roll between the channel
members on the elongate support member.
[0025] According to a third aspect of the invention there is
provided a paper roll dispenser for supporting a roll of paper
product for dispensing of pieces of said product from off said
roll, the dispenser comprising:
[0026] a first and second channel members extending parallel to one
another in a first direction and being spaced apart from one
another in a second direction perpendicular to said first
direction, each channel member defining a respective channel that
has a length running in the first direction and is open at an inner
side of the channel member facing toward the other channel member,
the inner sides of the two channel members being spaced apart by a
first distance that exceeds an axial length of the roll of paper
product;
[0027] an elongated support member having axial length that is
greater than the first distance between the inner sides of the two
channel members and less than a second distance between the central
channel walls of the channel members, and a cross-sectional size
that is less than the axial length and sufficiently small for axial
passage of the elongated supported member through an axial hole of
the roll of paper product, opposite ends of the elongated support
member being respectively receivable in the channels in a condition
slidable back and forth in the channels in the first direction.
[0028] For use, the paper roll dispenser is mounted in an installed
position on an upright support structure, wherein the channels of
the channel members are positioned to slope upwardly away from the
upright support structure, whereby downward pulling of a free end
of the roll will act to force the roll downwardly toward the
support structure to abut the roll against a connecting feature
spanning between lower ends of the channel members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a right side perspective view of a frame of a
toilet paper dispenser of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the toilet paper
dispenser frame.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view illustrating insertion of
a roll support member of the toilet paper dispenser into the frame
thereof.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a right side perspective view of the toilet paper
dispenser during placement of a full toilet paper roll supported
thereon.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a left side perspective view of the toilet paper
dispenser and toilet paper roll of FIG. 4.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a front view of the toilet paper dispenser with a
nearly consumed toilet paper roll supported thereon.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a front view of the toilet paper dispenser with
the core of a fully consumed toilet paper roll supported
thereon.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a front view of the toilet paper dispenser,
illustrating manipulation of the core of the consumed roll and the
support member of the dispenser to enable removal of the same from
the frame of the dispenser.
[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates the roll support member of the dispenser
in isolation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] FIG. 1 shows the frame 10 of a toilet paper dispenser
according to one embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser
is mounted to the upright surface of a vertical wall or other
suitable support structure by fastening of a mounting bracket 12 of
the dispenser to the wall. The illustrated bracket 12 features a
right angle structure 16 having a planar lower leg 16a from which a
planar upper leg 16 projects perpendicularly so that flush
placement of the upper leg 16b against the vertical surface of the
wall or support structure places the lower leg in a position
jutting horizontally outward from the wall.
[0040] First and second channel members 20a, 20b project
perpendicularly from the vertically mounted upper leg 16b of the
angle iron 16 from respective ends thereof in respective vertical
planes. Each channel member 20a, 20b features a generally
rectangular channel 22a, 22b having a longitudinal direction
sloping obliquely upward from the lower end of the upper leg 16b of
the right angle structure 16 in a direction moving away from the
wall surface 100 at approximately forty-five to fifty degrees to
the wall surface. However, other oblique angles above or below this
range may alternatively be employed. Each channel 22a, 22b is bound
on three sides by rectangular channel walls, particularly a top
side wall 24a, 24b running along the top of the channel member, a
matching bottom side wall 26a, 26b facing and lying parallel to the
top side wall 24a, 24b at a distance therebelow, and a central wall
28a, 28b spanning between the side walls in a vertical plane and
defining the outer side of the respective channel member. An inner
side of each channel member 20a, 20b located nearest the other
channel is left open, to define an open fourth side of the
respective channel 22a, 22b facing toward the opposite channel
member.
[0041] A distal end of each channel member 20a, 20b located
furthest from the angle iron 16 and wall surface 100 is closed off
by a respective end wall 30a, 30b. The proximal end of each channel
member 20a, 20b nearest the wall surface is likewise closed off by
the upper leg 16b of the angle iron 16, which forms a flat
connection wall joining together the two channel members 20a, 20b
over their full heights.
[0042] As best seen in FIG. 2, the central wall 28a of the first
channel member 20a features a circular hole 34 cut therethrough to
communicate the inner channel 22a of the member with the outer side
thereof. The hole 34 is spaced a short height above the top surface
of the bottom side wall 26a of the channel 22a. The central wall
28b of the second channel member 20b features no such hole, instead
being closed over the full area of the respective channel 22b.
[0043] The channel members are horizontally spaced apart in a
direction perpendicular to their obliquely oriented lengths, and
parallel to the plane of the upper leg 16b of the right angle
structure 16 of the mounting bracket 12, by a distance that only
slightly exceeds the axial length of a roll of conventional toilet
paper, for example exceeding such length by less than 3/16-inch,
and preferably between 1/16-inch and 1/8-inch, inclusive. For
example, for compatibility with a conventional toilet paper roll
length of 4-inches, the channel members are preferably 4
1/16-inches to 41/8-inches apart. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 6
to 8, a roll of toilet paper 200 can be received between the two
channel members 20a, 20b in a horizontal orientation with a small
clearance to allow free rotation of the roll about its horizontal
axis without interference from the channel members.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, a roll support member 38 is provided in
the form of a round cylindrical rod or bar having a length that
exceeds the distance between the open inner sides of the channel
members, but is less than the distance between the central channel
walls 28a, 28b that define the outer sides of the two channel
members. In planes perpendicular to this length of the support bar
38, the uniform circular cross section of the support bar 38 has a
diameter that is only slightly less than the diameter of the
circular hole 34 in the first channel member 20a. Accordingly, as
shown in FIG. 3, the support bar 38 can be passed through the hole
34 from the outside of the first channel member 20a in order to
axially slide the support bar 38 into a position spanning between
the two channel members 20a, 20b. In such a position, each end of
the support bar 38 is received in a respective one of the two
channels 22a, 22b and rests atop the respective bottom wall 28a,
28b of that channel 22a, 22b.
[0045] The support bar 38 is slidable back and forth in the
lengthwise direction of the channels toward and away from the wall
and the upper leg 16b of the mounting bracket structure 16 fastened
thereto. The distance between the central channel walls 28a, 28b of
the two channel members 20a, 20b is less than a diagonal
measurement of the support bar 38 between diametrically opposing
points on the circular end faces of the round bar 38, thereby
preventing withdrawal of either end of the bar 38 from the
respective channel 22a, 22b solely by rotating the bar about an
axis that is perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis of the
support bar 38 and the parallel longitudinal axes of the two
channels.
[0046] However, the two channels and the bar are dimensioned such
that by first tilting the bar 38 in a manner leaving one end of the
bar at the bottom channel side wall 26a, 26b of one of the channel
members while moving the opposing end of the bar to the top channel
side wall 24a, 24b of the other channel member, the bar can then be
rotated about an axis perpendicular to the top and bottom side
walls of the channels 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b by an amount sufficient to
withdraw one end of bar from the respective channel, at which point
the opposing end of the bar can be withdrawn from the other channel
by pulling the bar over or under the channel member from which the
first end was withdrawn, or pulling the bar through the open space
between the distal ends of the two channel members furthest from
the upper leg 16b of the mounting bracket structure 36.
[0047] Alternatively, the bar 38 can be withdrawn from between the
two channel members from its normal position seated atop the bottom
walls thereof by lifting the bar from this seated position to the
height of the hole 34, and then either sliding the bar fully
through the hole, or placing at least part of the respective end of
the bar into the hole and tilting the bar by a sufficient amount in
a suitable direction to withdraw the opposing end of the bar from
open inner side of the second channel member 20b, at which point
the first end of the bar can then be withdrawn from the hole 34 and
the first channel member 20a by pulling the second end of the bar
over or under the second channel member 20b.
[0048] To support a roll of toilet paper 200 on the dispenser, one
starts with the support bar 38 removed from the dispenser frame,
and places the toilet paper roll between the two channel members in
a horizontal position aligning the axial through hole 202 of the
roll, as typically defined by a hollow cylindrical coardboard core
204, with the hole 34 in the distal half of the first channel
member 20a. At this point, the support bar 38 is slid through the
aligned hole of the dispenser and axial hole 202 of the roll 200
until the bar 38 has reached fully through the roll 200 into the
channel 22b of the second channel member 20b and passed fully
through the slot 34, whereby the ends of the bar extend into the
two channels 22a, 22b of the dispenser from the axial hole 202 of
the toilet paper roll 200.
[0049] The weight of the support bar 38, and the toilet paper roll
now suspended thereon between the channel members, biases the
support bar 38 downwardly onto the topside of the bottom channel
walls 26a, 26b, and also downwardly along these inclined bottom
walls 26a, 26b of the channels toward the mounting bracket and the
wall. Accordingly, upon successful insertion of the support bar 38,
the bar 38 falls onto the bottom walls of the channels, thus taking
the bar out of alignment with the hole 34 and thereby preventing
withdrawal of the bar back therethrough, and then slides downward
along the channel toward the wall and the mounting bracket fastened
thereto, thus taking the bar even further away from the
hole-equipped area of the first channel member 20a.
[0050] Due to the very small amount of clearance left between each
end of the toilet paper roll 200 and the respective channel member
20a, 20b, no manual access to the support bar 38 is possible once a
full roll of toilet paper has been put in place on the dispenser.
Likewise, access to the support bar with gripping tools of
sufficient capability to grip and manipulate the bar is impossible,
or at least very difficult and highly unlikely. Accordingly, theft
by manipulation of the support bar 38 into a position engageable
with the hole 34 is prevented, or at least rendered very difficult
and highly unlikely. Likewise, manipulation of the support bar 38
in a manner attaining sufficient tilting or angling of same for
withdrawal from the channels 22a, 22b without use of the hole 34 is
also prevented, as the size of the toilet paper roll 200 itself
prevents the required degree of bar angling required for such
removal. Attempts to tilt and/or rotate the support bar 38 will
result in contact of the end faces of the roll 200 against the
inner sides of the channel members 20a, 20b before a tilt and/or
rotation angle sufficient for withdrawal can be attained. In
addition, attempts to compress the toilet paper roll 200 and use
the core 204 thereof to grip the support bar 38 and attempt to
slide the bar 38 through the hole 34 are prevented, as the
clearance between the roll 200 and the channel members 20a, 20b is
less than the minimum distance needed to project the end of the bar
38 through the hole 34 to the outer side of the first channel
member.
[0051] The width of the channels, as measured perpendicularly
between the top and bottom side walls of each channel, is less than
the diameter of the cardboard core of the toilet paper roll, and so
with reference to FIG. 6, the necessary manipulations to angle the
support bar out of the installed position in the channels is
difficult or impossible, even when the roll has been substantially
consumed, leaving only a few layers of toilet paper sheets on the
core. Even if a would-be thief compresses the substantially used
roll to attempt to semi-flatten the same against the top and
underside of the support bar, the combined thickness of the
flattened roll and bar prevents multi-direction angling of the bar
in an amount sufficient to withdraw the same from the channels.
Turning to FIG. 7, only when the roll has been completely consumed,
or at least down to a minimal number of remaining paper layers, can
the core be sufficiently flattened to fit within the channels to
enable withdrawal of the support bar 11, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0052] By preventing withdrawal of the support bar in the above
manner, the dispenser prevents would-be thieves from being able to
remove an intact roll of toilet paper, as a full roll cannot be
removed from the support bar without first withdrawing the support
bar from its installed position in the channels.
[0053] In addition to roll theft prevention, the dispenser also has
a mechanism for preventing excessive sheet dispensing that can
occur with conventional roll holders by imparting a notable
rotation-inducing downward force to the exposed front side of the
roll. In the above dispenser, downward forces applied to the roll,
whether by gripping and downward pulling of the free end of the end
sheet or by frictional contact with an exposed sheet of the roll at
a greater distance form the free end, actually act to inhibit
rotation of the roll, thus inhibiting a sheet-retrieval action.
Downward force applied to the roll acts to further force the roll
downwardly along the 22a, 22b channels toward the mounting bracket
12 and the wall 100, which causes the rear side of the roll (i.e.
the side thereof facing toward the wall) to abut against the flat
face or wall of the upper leg 16b of the mounting bracket that
spans between the two channel members and faces outward from
therebetween.
[0054] This action induces an increased resistance to rotation of
the toilet paper roll. Attempts to downwardly pull the end sheet
from a perforated roll of toilet paper will result in the sheet
breaking free from its perforated connection to the next sheet,
thus preventing further rotation of the roll. Attempts to
frictionally spin the roll downward are also prevented. Controlled
release of sheets is attained by pulling the free sheet in an
upward or forward direction, or combination thereof, from somewhere
over the top half of the roll's circumference, and then tearing the
roll at the desired length or number of sheets.
[0055] While the illustrated embodiment uses a flat wall or face of
the mounting bracket structure 16 for frictional contact with the
toilet paper roll over the full axial length thereof to resist
excessive sheet dispensing, the feature against which the roll
abuts under the downward sliding of the support member and roll to
the lower ends of the channels may take different forms and still
provide some degree of rotation resistance when the intended
rotation-imparting force is exerted downward. For example a
mounting bracket that couples the channel members together for
common mounting to a support structure may have a an edge or
surface that abuts the roll over only part of its length. In
another embodiment, the roll-abutting rotation-resisting feature
may be part of the wall surface or support structure itself at an
area between individual mounting locations of separate channel
members at horizontally spaced locations on the support
structure.
[0056] The fit of the support member 38 in the axial through hole
of the roll is sufficiently loose to allow reasonably smooth
rotation of the roll around the support member 38. Testing with
commercially available toilet paper rolls with cores of
approximately 17/8-inch inner diameter has found that a support bar
width of 1.5-inches provides a long enough width-wise end edge of
the bar to keep the bar in the desired perpendicular orientation
between the two channel members, while providing sufficient
clearance between the lengthwise bar edges and the core of the
toilet paper roll to allow rotation thereof around the bar.
However, it will be appreciated that the core diameter of toilet
paper rolls may vary, and accordingly the bar width may change. The
use of a relative flat-bar, for example with the above 1.5-inch
width and an approximately 1/8-inch thickness, uses its notable
width and weight to keep the bar in a straight, flat position
between the channels to normally maintain its slidable condition
therealong without jamming against the channel walls, while the
relatively small thickness allows the necessary tilting required to
remove the support bar when the toilet paper roll is consumed.
[0057] While the support member is described above as a round
cylindrical bar or rod, other shapes or forms may be employed.
[0058] For example, in another embodiment not shown in the
drawings, the roll support member is provided in the form of a
thin, flat rectangular bar or plate having a length that exceeds
the distance between the open inner sides of the channel members,
but is less than the distance between the central channel walls
28a, 28b that define the outer sides of the two channel members. In
the flat bar embodiment, the circular hole is replaced with an
elongated slot that runs along only a portion of the channel's
length in a direction parallel thereto, from approximately a
midpoint of the channel's length to near the capped off distal end
thereof. The slot is spaced a short height above the top surface of
the bottom side wall of the channel, and runs parallel thereto.
[0059] In planes perpendicular to this length of the rectangular
support bar, the uniform cross section of the support bar has a
width that is only slightly less than the length of the elongated
slot, and a thickness that is only slightly less than the width of
that slot. Accordingly, the support bar can be passed through the
slot from the outside of the first channel member in order to
axially slide the support bar into a position spanning between the
two channel members and seated atop the respective bottom walls of
the channels. The width of the support bar 38 lies in the
lengthwise direction of the channels, and is slidable back and
forth therealong toward and away from the wall 100. The width of
the support bar 38 is greater than the width of each channel, as
measured between the top and bottom side walls thereof, thereby
preventing the bar 38 from being tipped up into or past a fully
upright position perpendicular to the channel length. The distance
between the central channel walls 28a, 28b of the two channel
members 20a, 20b is less than a diagonal measurement of the support
bar 38 between opposing corners thereof, thereby preventing
withdrawal of either end of the bar 38 from the respective channel
22a, 22b solely by rotating the bar about an axis perpendicular
thereto when seated on the bottom side walls of the channels.
[0060] However, the two channels and the bar are dimensioned such
that by first tilting the bar about one of its edges, so as to keep
that edge at the bottom channel side walls while moving the
opposing edge to the top channel side walls the bar can then be
rotated about an axis perpendicular to the top and bottom side
walls of the channels by an amount sufficient to withdraw one end
of bar from the respective channel, at which point the opposing end
of the bar can be withdrawn from the other channel by pulling the
bar over or under the channel member from which the first end was
withdrawn, or pulling the bar through the open space between the
distal ends of the two channel members.
[0061] In another embodiment not shown in the drawings, a support
member is formed from a length of bendable but shape-retaining
metal rod or wire that has been prefabricated into a squared off
U-shape with two parallel legs extending to a common side of a
central span that joins the legs at a right angle. The equal length
of the two legs defines the axial length of the support member,
with the length of the central span from the outer side of one leg
to the outer side of the other defining the width of the support
member. The thickness of the support member is defined by the
diameter of the rod or wire. Such member can thus have the same
length, width and diagonal dimensions as the flat bar-type support
member, with the diagonal being measured from the outside of one of
the corners between the central span and a respective leg, and the
free distal end of the opposing leg. The circular circumference of
the rod or wire presents a smoothly curved profile at the outer
side of each leg, thereby providing reduced resistance to rotation
of the toilet paper roll compared to a purely rectangular support
bar with flat edges. Alternatively, the lengthwise edges of a flat
support bar may be provided with a smoothly curved profile.
[0062] The bent wire support member may be used with a
slot-equipped frame like that described for use with a flat-bar
support member, or may varies from such a slotted frame design by
using a pair of smaller, spaced-apart through-hole openings in the
first channel member as the insertion feature for accommodating
insertion of the supporting member, instead of the elongated
slot-like opening. The two through-holes would be spaced apart
along the channel length according to the distance between the two
legs of the support member. The support member would be installed
by pre-loading the toilet paper roll thereon, then passing the free
ends of the legs through the holes of the first channel member from
between the two channel members, then lifting the other end of the
support member up into the space between the channel members, and
finally sliding the connected-together ends of the legs into the
channel of the second channel member, thereby pulling the free ends
of the legs back through the holes in the first channel member to
seat these leg ends inside the channel thereof. However, the
flat-bar style support member may be more resistant to jamming,
with the rod-style support member having less weight, and thus
perhaps being more prone to turning or tilting out of its sliding
position seated flat atop the bottom walls of the channels in a
straight orientation spanning perpendicularly between the two
channel members. The illustrated embodiment with a round,
cylindrical support rod may provide smoother rolling support of the
toilet paper roll than one or both of the flat-bar and bent-wire
support members described for the alternate embodiments.
[0063] The illustrated embodiment is based on a wooden prototype of
the invention, where each channel member features a thin wooden
sheet forming the closed side of the respective channel, and one or
more suitably shaped wooden blocks fixed to the inner face of this
sheet to form the top and bottom side walls and end wall of the
respective channel. However, it will be appreciated that other
embodiment may vary from this arrangement both in terms of material
composition and structural form while achieving the same result.
For example, commercialized embodiments may employ metal or fairly
rigid plastic materials in their construction. It will also be
appreciated that the anti-theft operability described herein
through use of the channels and the opening for insertion of the
support member thereto may be employed in embodiments lacking the
obliquely angled configuration of the channels for the described
anti-waste functionality, and vice versa. While described in the
context of a toilet paper roll, it will be appreciated that the
device may be used with, or resized for suitable compatibility
with, other rolled products, such as paper towel.
[0064] Since various modifications can be made in my invention as
herein above described, and many apparently widely different
embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims
without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that
all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *