U.S. patent application number 15/410004 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-19 for paper towel dispenser for accommodating different sizes of paper towel rolls.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mark PALADINO. Invention is credited to Mark PALADINO.
Application Number | 20180199768 15/410004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62838337 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180199768 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PALADINO; Mark |
July 19, 2018 |
PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER FOR ACCOMMODATING DIFFERENT SIZES OF PAPER
TOWEL ROLLS
Abstract
A paper towel dispenser is provided, along with a system for
retrofitting an existing paper towel dispenser. The dispenser
includes a housing configured to mount to a wall. A pair of
opposing hubs are located within the housing and define a first
distance therebetween. A spindle is attached the hubs. The spindle
has a length and defines a cylindrical region between the hubs. The
cylindrical region has a second distance that is less than the
first distance such that the spindle extends lengthwise beyond a
paper towel supported on the spindle. The spindle has end regions
having a diameter that exceeds that of the cylindrical region in
order to contain the paper towel roll on the cylindrical
region.
Inventors: |
PALADINO; Mark; (MILFORD,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PALADINO; Mark |
MILFORD |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62838337 |
Appl. No.: |
15/410004 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/40 20130101;
A47K 10/38 20130101; A47K 10/32 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/40 20060101
A47K010/40; A47K 10/32 20060101 A47K010/32 |
Claims
1. A paper towel dispenser, comprising: a housing configured to
mount to a wall; a pair of opposing hubs within the housing and
defining a first distance therebetween; a spindle attached the
hubs, the spindle having a length and defining a cylindrical region
between the hubs, the cylindrical region having a second distance
that is less than the first distance such that the spindle extends
lengthwise beyond a paper towel supported on the spindle.
2. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the hubs include a
first hub and a second hub, and the spindle includes a first end
surface and a second end surface that differ in size, wherein the
first end surface and the second end surface are configured to
removably attach to the first hub and the second hub,
respectively.
3. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the hubs include a
first hub and a second hub, wherein the spindle includes a first
end surface having a first surface feature thereon and a second end
surface having a second surface feature thereon that differs from
the first surface feature, the first and second surface features
configured to removably engage with the first and second hub,
respectively.
4. The paper towel dispenser of claim 3, wherein the first hub has
a first surface feature thereon for engaging with the first surface
feature of the spindle, and the second hub has a second surface
feature thereon for engaging with the second surface feature of the
spindle and that differs from the first surface feature of the
first hub.
5. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the spindle
includes an end surface with a plurality of projections extending
therefrom that are configured to attach to one of the hubs.
6. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical
region is recessed from a remainder of the spindle.
7. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the spindle
includes a first end region abutting a first end of the cylindrical
region and a second end region abutting a second end of the
cylindrical region, wherein the first and second end regions each
have a diameter that exceeds that of the cylindrical region to
contain the paper towel roll on the cylindrical region between the
end regions.
8. The paper towel dispenser of claim 7, wherein the first end
region extends along a length that exceeds that of the second end
region such that the cylindrical region of the spindle is offset
from a center of the spindle.
9. The paper towel dispenser of claim 7, wherein the spindle is
non-rotatably coupled to the hubs.
10. A system for adjusting the size of paper dispensed from a paper
towel dispenser, the system comprising: a housing configured to
mount to a wall; a pair of opposing hubs contained within the
housing; a first spindle having a first pair of outer ends for
selectively coupling the first spindle to the hubs, the first
spindle further having a first cylindrical region with a first
length for supporting a first paper towel roll with a first width;
and a second spindle having a second pair of outer ends for
selectively coupling the second spindle to the hubs, the second
spindle further having a second cylindrical region with a second
length that differs from the first length for supporting a second
paper towel roll with a second width; wherein the first and second
spindles are selectively attachable and removable from the hubs to
enable the paper towel roll to dispense differently-sized paper
towel rolls.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first pair of outer ends
have first surface features for engaging the hubs, and the second
pair of outer ends have second surface features that are different
than the first surface features.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the outer ends of the first
spindle differ in profile from one another.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the first pair of outer ends
are identical to the second pair of outer ends to facilitate an
identical connection between (i) the hubs and the first outer ends,
and (ii) the hubs and the second outer ends.
14. A method for modifying an existing paper towel dispenser to
accommodate smaller paper towel rolls, the method comprising:
accessing an interior region of a housing of the existing paper
towel dispenser that has a pair of opposing hubs separated by a
distance; removably attaching ends of a spindle to the hubs,
wherein the spindle has a central region with a diameter that
differs from the ends for supporting a paper towel roll that has a
width that is smaller than the distance between the hubs.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of removably attaching
includes fixing a surface feature of one of the ends of the spindle
to a corresponding surface feature of the hub.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the spindle is a first spindle,
the method further comprising removing the spindle from the hubs,
and removably attaching ends of a second spindle to the hubs,
wherein the second spindle has a central region with a diameter
that differs in size from the central region of the first
spindle.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising before the step of
removably attaching, attaching a tube of the paper towel roll to
the spindle.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of removably attaching
includes pressing a plurality of projections of one of the ends of
the spindle into one of the hubs.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of removably attaching
includes sliding a plurality of grooves of one of the ends of the
spindle into engagement with a plurality of projections of one of
the hubs.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein one of the ends of the spindle
has an opening with an inner diameter that exceeds an inner
diameter of the central region, wherein the step of removably
attaching includes fitting the inner diameter of the opening around
a portion of the hub.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a paper towel dispenser
configured to accommodate different sizes of paper towel rolls.
More specifically, a spindle for supporting a paper towel roll is
disclosed that allows the paper towel dispenser to be modified to
accommodate smaller sizes of paper towel rolls. The spindle can be
retrofitted onto an existing paper towel dispenser in order to
allow the existing paper towel dispenser to dispense smaller paper
towels.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Paper towel dispensers can be found in a variety of places,
but mostly in public restrooms. A restroom patron can pull a lever,
twist a knob, or simply place his hands by an electronic sensor in
order to cause paper towel to be dispensed, allowing the patron to
dry his or her hands. The paper towel inside of the dispenser is
provided on a reel or roll. As the paper towel is dispensed, the
roll spins and becomes smaller and smaller, until the paper towel
is gone. At that time, an operator must open the dispenser, remove
the core of the paper towel dispenser, and replace the dispenser
with another roll of paper towel. The mechanics and size of paper
towel dispensers require that the new paper towel roll being
inserted into the dispenser is nearly identical to the previous
paper towel roll.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to one embodiment, a paper towel dispenser
includes a housing configured to mount to a wall, and a pair of
opposing hubs within the housing that define a first distance
therebetween. A spindle is attached the hubs. The spindle has a
length and defines a cylindrical region between the hubs. The
cylindrical region has a second distance that is less than the
first distance. A paper towel roll has a pair of ends is rotatably
coupled about the cylindrical region of the spindle such that the
spindle extends beyond the ends of the paper towel roll.
[0004] The hubs may include a first hub and a second hub, and the
spindle may include a first end surface and a second end surface
that differ in size. The first end surface and the second end
surface may be configured to removably attach to the first hub and
the second hub, respectively.
[0005] The first end surface may have a first surface feature
thereon and the second end surface may have a second surface
feature thereon that differs from the first surface feature. The
first and second surface features may be configured to removably
engage with the first and second hub, respectively.
[0006] The spindle may include an end surface with a plurality of
projections extending therefrom that are configured to attach to
one of the hubs.
[0007] The cylindrical region may be recessed from a remainder of
the spindle.
[0008] The spindle may include a first end region abutting a first
end of the cylindrical region and a second end region abutting a
second end of the cylindrical region. The first and second end
regions each have a diameter that exceeds that of the cylindrical
region to contain the paper towel roll on the cylindrical region
between the end regions.
[0009] The first end region may extend along a length that exceeds
that of the second end region such that the cylindrical region of
the spindle is offset from a center of the spindle.
[0010] The spindle may be non-rotatably coupled to the hubs such
that the spindle does not rotate as the paper towel roll rotates
during dispensing of the paper towel roll.
[0011] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, a system
for adjusting the size of paper dispensed from a paper towel
dispenser is provided. The system includes a housing configured to
mount to a wall. A pair of opposing hubs are contained within the
housing. A first spindle has a first pair of outer ends for
selectively coupling the first spindle to the hubs. The first
spindle further has a first cylindrical region with a first length
for supporting a first paper towel roll with a first width. A
second spindle has a second pair of outer ends for selectively
coupling the second spindle to the hubs. The second spindle further
has second cylindrical region with a second length that differs
from the first length for supporting a second paper towel roll with
a second width.
[0012] The outer ends of the first spindle may differ from one
another in profile.
[0013] Even though the second spindle has a second cylindrical
region that differs from the first cylindrical region of the first
spindle, the first pair of outer ends may be identical to the
second pair of outer ends to facilitate an identical connection
between (i) the hubs and the first outer ends, and (ii) the hubs
and the second outer ends.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a
method for modifying an existing paper towel dispenser to
accommodate smaller paper towel rolls is provided. The method
includes accessing an interior region of a housing of the existing
paper towel dispenser that has a pair of opposing hubs separated by
a distance. The method also includes removably attaching ends of a
spindle to the hubs, wherein the spindle has a central region with
a diameter that differs from the ends for supporting a paper towel
roll that has a width that is smaller than the distance between the
hubs.
[0015] The step of removably attaching may include fixing a surface
feature of one of the ends of the spindle to a corresponding
surface feature of the hub.
[0016] The spindle may be a first spindle. The method may further
include removing the spindle from the hubs, and removably attaching
ends of a second spindle to the hubs, wherein the second spindle
has a central region with a diameter that differs in size from the
central region of the first spindle.
[0017] The method may further include, before the step of removably
attaching, attaching a tube of the paper towel roll to the
spindle.
[0018] The step of removably attaching may include pressing a
plurality of projections of one of the ends of the spindle into one
of the hubs.
[0019] The step of removably attaching may include sliding a
plurality of grooves of one of the ends of the spindle into
engagement with a plurality of projections of one of the hubs.
[0020] One of the ends of the spindle may have an opening with an
inner diameter that exceeds an inner diameter of the central
region, wherein the step of removably attaching includes fitting
the inner diameter of the opening around a portion of the hub.
[0021] The step of removably attaching may include inserting a pin
that extends from one of the ends of the spindle into a
corresponding hole in the hub.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paper towel dispenser
partially cut-away to show a portion of the interior of the
dispenser, according to one embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the paper towel
dispenser with a modified spindle to enable a smaller-sized paper
towel roll to be fitted into the dispenser, according to one
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of hubs within the dispenser to
support the paper towel roll, according to one embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a paper towel dispenser
having a modified spindle for supporting a smaller paper towel
roll, according to one embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one spindle in a standing,
upright position, in which the spindle includes projections that
engage with a hub of the dispenser.
[0027] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of another spindle in a
standing, upright position, in which the spindle includes grooves
that engage with a hub of the dispenser.
[0028] FIG. 5C is a perspective view of another spindle in a
standing, upright position.
[0029] FIG. 5D is a perspective view of another spindle in a
standing, upright position, in which the spindle includes an open
mouth at one end and flared flanges at another end for engaging
with hubs of the dispenser.
[0030] FIG. 5E is a perspective view of another spindle in a
standing, upright position,.
[0031] FIG. 5F is a perspective view of another spindle in a
standing, upright position, in which the spindle includes a wide,
flat end with a projection for engaging with one hub of the
dispenser.
[0032] FIG. 5G is a perspective view of another spindle in a
standing, upright position, in which the spindle includes a pin or
projection extending from one end to engage within a corresponding
slot or groove in one hub of the dispenser.
[0033] FIG. 5H is a perspective view of another spindle in a
standing, upright position.
[0034] FIG. 5I is a perspective view of another spindle in a
standing, upright position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein.
It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are
merely examples and other embodiments can take various and
alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some
features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of
particular components. Therefore, specific structural and
functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one
skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of
ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features
illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures
can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other
figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated
or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide
representative embodiments for typical applications. Various
combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the
teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for
particular applications or implementations.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, a paper towel dispenser 10 is
illustrated. The paper towel dispenser 10 may also be referred to
as, simply, a dispenser. The dispenser 10 is configured to support
a roll of paper towel and dispense a portion of the roll for an
operator to dry his/her hands. The dispenser 10 may dispense the
paper towel from within by known means, all of which are
contemplated as part of this disclosure. For example, a handle,
knob, lever or the like may be provided that, when activated by an
operator, cause the paper towel roll to rotate and dispense one or
more sheets of paper towel. An electric motor and associated sensor
(e.g., proximity sensor, motion sensor, etc.) are also suitable
means of dispensing the paper towel from the dispenser 10.
[0037] The paper towel dispenser 10 includes a housing 12 that can
be translucent to enable a user to see the interior of the housing
12. The housing 12 can be removably mounted to a bracket 14 which
is, in turn, mounted to a wall. An operator can remove the housing
12 from the bracket 14 to gain access to the interior of the paper
towel dispenser 10 in order to, for example, make repairs or swap
an old paper towel roll for a new one.
[0038] A pair of arms, such as a first arm 16 and a second arm 18,
extend from the bracket 14 and are mounted within the dispenser 10.
The first bracket 16 may have a first hub 20, and the second
bracket 18 may have a second hub 22. The hubs 20, 22 are integrally
formed or are fixedly mounted on the arms 16, 18 such that a
spindle 30 is separate from and removably attached to the hubs and
arms. The spindle 30 shown in FIG. 1 is but one embodiment of a
spindle configured for use in the paper towel dispenser of this
disclosure, and additional embodiments of the spindle 30 are
explained below and shown in the Figures.
[0039] Typical paper towel dispensers do not include a separate
spindle 30 that is separate and distinct from the paper towel roll.
The typical paper towel dispensers utilize paper towel rolls that
extend entirely between the hubs such that the hubs support the
inner cylindrical rod of the paper towel roll. Without a separate
spindle 30, the typical paper towel dispenser requires a paper
towel roll having a sufficient width to span the entire distance
between the hubs so that both hubs can support the paper towel
roll. Thus, when the operator replaces one paper towel for another,
the operator must use similarly-sized paper towel rolls with each
replacement; there is no ability to insert paper towel rolls having
a significantly smaller width.
[0040] Therefore, the paper towel dispenser of the present
disclosure utilizes the spindle, such as spindle 30 and other
various embodiments described herein and shown in the Figures. The
spindle 30 is removably attached to the hubs 20, 22 which are fixed
with respect to the arms 16. The spindle 30 of FIG. 1 is a
generally cylindrical spindle that is not part of the roll of paper
towel 32. Instead, the spindle 30 supports an inner cylindrical rod
(made of cardboard or the like) of the paper towel roll 32 which is
wrapped by the paper towel. In other words, the spindle 30 is
removably attached to the hubs 20, 22, and supports the paper towel
roll 32, which includes the inner cylindrical rod and the paper
towel.
[0041] In use, the spindle 30 can be removed from the hubs 20, 22
so that one paper towel roll can be removed from the spindle 30,
and a new paper towel roll can be slid around the spindle 30. The
spindle can then be reengaged with the hubs 20, 22 so that the new
paper towel roll can be dispensed. The spindle 30 therefore enables
the operator to replace one paper towel roll having a large width
of paper towel with another paper towel roll having a smaller width
of paper towel.
[0042] The spindles described herein can be utilized to retrofit an
existing paper towel dispenser to accommodate smaller-sized paper
towel rolls. For example, an existing paper towel dispenser can be
retrofitted to include one of the exemplary spindles described
herein attached to and between the hubs 20, 22. The newly-attached
spindle can then enable the paper towel dispenser to dispense paper
towel that is smaller in width (i.e., a direction extending along
the axis of the spindle). This can help convert a paper towel
dispenser that may be more suitable for adults (e.g., wider paper
towel) into a paper towel dispenser that may be more suitable for
children (e.g., thinner paper towel).
[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the dispenser 10 in which
another embodiment of a spindle 40 is provided. The spindle 40 is
attached to and between the hubs 22, which will be described below.
The spindle 40 includes a first end region 42 extending from one
end of the spindle, and a second end region 44 extending from
another end of the spindle. Between the end regions 42, 44 is a
central region, also referred to as a cylindrical region 46 or
cylindrical central region. The cylindrical region 46 is
cylindrical throughout, and defines a cylindrical outer surface for
supporting a paper towel roll. The cylindrical region 46 has a
diameter that is less than that of each of the end regions 42, 44
such that an attached paper towel roll is contained between the end
regions 42, 44. For example, the end regions may include an end
surface (such as end surface 48) that faces inward toward the
cylindrical region 46. These end surfaces can abut the sides of the
paper towel roll to contain the paper towel roll on the cylindrical
region 46.
[0044] A portion of the cylindrical region 46 is located at a
center point of the distance between the two hubs 20, 22 so that a
portion of the attached paper towel roll is also located at a
center point of the distance between the two hubs 20, 22. However,
as shown in FIG. 2, the center of the cylindrical region 46 may be
offset from the center of the distance between the two hubs 20, 22.
In other words, the first end region 42 may be sized differently
than the second end region 44. The first end region 42 may have a
length (extending along the center axis of the spindle 40) that
exceeds the length of the second end region 44. This allows an
attached paper towel roll to be offset from the center, allowing
operators to visually see that a smaller paper towel roll has been
attached in the existing dispenser.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows the arms 16, 18 and associated hubs 20, 22 in
isolation without an attached spindle. The arms 16, 18 may extend
from or mount to the bracket 14 or other structure within the
dispenser that is mounted to an external surface such as a wall.
Each hub 20, 22 and respective arm 16, 18 can be a single
integrally-formed piece, or the hubs 20, 22 can be separately
mounted to the arms 16, 18. The hubs 20, 22 may be configured to
rotate about an axis relative to the fixed hubs 20, 22. Rotation of
the hubs 20, 22 can cause an attached spindle to rotate as well
during dispensing of paper towel. Alternatively, the hubs 20, 22
may be fixed such that they do not rotate with respect to the arms
16, 18 during dispensing of paper towel. In either embodiment, the
spindle is non-rotatably coupled to the hubs such that the spindle
does not rotate with respect to the hub, but both may rotate
together in unison. Embodiments of non-rotatably coupling the
spindle to the hubs 20, 22 are illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5I described
below.
[0046] Alternatively, the spindle may be rotatably coupled to the
hubs such that the spindle can rotate relative to the hubs 20, 22
during dispensing of paper towel. Examples of spindles that are
capable of being rotatably coupled to the hubs 20, 22 are shown in
FIGS. 5C-5I which are described below.
[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a dispenser with a spindle 60 according
to another embodiment for supporting another paper towel roll 62
that is smaller (e.g., more narrow) than the roll of paper towel 32
shown in FIG. 1. The spindle 60 includes a central cylindrical
region 64 that is again recessed or located radially inward from
the abutting end regions 66, 68. In this embodiment, the central
cylindrical region 64 is located centrally on the spindle 60.
Employing the teachings described above, the spindle 60 (and other
spindles described herein) allows an existing paper towel dispenser
to be retrofitted to dispense smaller paper towel using such a
spindle.
[0048] FIGS. 5A-5I show various spindles according to different
embodiments. In each embodiment other than FIGS. 5B, 5H and 5I, a
central cylindrical region is provided between two end regions of
the spindle for supporting a paper towel roll between the end
regions. As will be described, some of the spindles have surface
features (e.g., projections, pins, grooves, mouths, etc.) that
cooperate with corresponding surface features on at least one of
the hubs to engage and connect the spindle with the hubs.
[0049] FIG. 5A shows a spindle 100 having a central cylindrical
region 102 between a first end region 104 and a second end region
106. The first end region 104 is cylindrical, with a larger
diameter than that of the central cylindrical region 102. The
second end region 106 is tapered outward toward an end surface 107.
The end surface 107 has projections or teeth 108 extending
therefrom. These teeth 108 can have sharp ends for attaching to a
corresponding surface of the hub of the dispenser. The teeth 108
can be press-fit into a flat surface or into grooves of the
hub.
[0050] FIG. 5B shows a spindle 110 having a cylindrical region 112
that can extend entirely to one end 114. On another end is an end
region 116 having a diameter greater than the cylindrical region
112. The open end of the end region 116 includes a plurality of
grooves 118 extending partially into the end region 116 toward the
center of the spindle 110. These grooves 118 serve to locate and
connect the spindle 110 to corresponding projections or other
surface features on the hub.
[0051] FIG. 5C shows a spindle 120 having a cylindrical region 122,
a first end region 124 that tapers out to an open mouth, and a
second end region 126 that is cylindrical, having a diameter
greater than that of the cylindrical region 122. The greater
diameter of the second end region 126 contains the paper towel roll
on the cylindrical region 122. A tapered surface 128 between the
cylindrical region 122 and the second end region 126 forces the
paper towel roll back onto the cylindrical region 122 if the paper
towel roll is shifted during dispensing. This tapered surface 128
can allow more lateral movement of the paper towel roll along the
spindle than, for example, the end surface 48 that prevents any
lateral movement of the paper towel roll outside of the cylindrical
region 46.
[0052] FIG. 5D shows a spindle 130 having a cylindrical region 132
bound between a first end region 134 and a second end region 136.
The first end region 134 includes flared flanges 138 for engaging
with one hub of the dispenser. The second end region 136 tapers
from the cylindrical region 132 toward an open mouth with a wider
diameter than that of the cylindrical region 132. The open mouth
can receive a corresponding region of the hub.
[0053] FIG. 5E shows a spindle 140 having two mouths at either end
region 142, 144. The two mouths can differ in diameter to engage
with two hubs that have differently-sized engagement regions.
[0054] FIG. 5F shows a spindle 150 having an end region 152 that is
flattened to engage with a corresponding flat groove or pocket
within the hub. The end region 152 has a tip 154 that can be
inserted into a smaller groove or pocket within the hub for further
engagement.
[0055] FIG. 5G shows a spindle 160 having an end region 162 with an
elongated thin pin 164. To attach the spindle 160 to the hubs, the
pin 164 is inserted into a corresponding groove or pocket within
the hub.
[0056] FIG. 5H shows a spindle 170 having an end region 172 that is
a pin having a larger diameter than the pin 164 of FIG. 5G.
[0057] FIG. 5I shows a spindle 180 having a cylindrical region 182
that extends entirely to the ends of the spindle.
[0058] While the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5I show various
spindles each having different end regions, it should be understood
that the characteristics of one end region can be mirrored or
repeated on the other end region of that spindle. Furthermore,
other embodiments are contemplated as part of this disclosure in
which spindles include end regions from multiple spindles shown in
the Figures. For example, a spindle can be provided with one end
region 106 from FIG. 5A, and another end region 144 from FIG. 5E.
The embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5I can be combined according to
the skills of one of ordinary skill in the art given the teachings
of this disclosure.
[0059] Utilizing one or more of the surface features explained
above, the spindles may be non-rotatably coupled to the hubs such
that the spindles and hubs rotate in unison. Alternatively, the
spindles may be non-rotatably coupled to the hubs which are, in
turn, non-rotatably coupled to the arms such that the paper towel
roll spins while the spindle is held motionless during
dispensing.
[0060] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms
encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are
words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood
that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features
of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments
of the invention that may not be explicitly described or
illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as
providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or
prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired
characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that
one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to
achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the
specific application and implementation. These attributes can
include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life
cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size,
serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc.
As such, to the extent any embodiments are described as less
desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with
respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not
outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for
particular applications.
* * * * *