Frictional features for rolled sheet product dispensers

A dispenser for enabling dispensing from a roll of sheet product, the dispenser comprising:

• a cover portion configured to move between an open position and a closed position;
• a base portion;
• and
• a moveable support portion for storing and rotating the roll of sheet product relative to the base portion, the moveable support portion including:
• a spindle configured to fit within a central opening of the roll of sheet product loaded thereon such that the roll of sheet product is configured to rotate about the spindle during dispensing of the sheet product therefrom,
• a movable support brake feature configured to:
• secure the spindle in a dispensing position when loaded with the roll of sheet product, and
• allow rotation of the moveable support portion when the roll of sheet product of the spindle in the dispensing position is depleted;
• and
• a frictional feature attached to the movable support brake feature at a pivot point radially spaced apart from the spindle,
• wherein the frictional feature is positioned to pivot about the pivot point toward the movable support brake feature when the roll of sheet product is loaded on the spindle such that the frictional feature applies a decreasing friction force on a side surface of the roll of sheet product as the sheet product depletes.

A rolled sheet product dispenser comprising:

• a housing;
• a spindle sheathed with a rotatable sleeve configured for receiving a roll of sheet product such that rotating the sleeve about the spindle rotates the roll of sheet product for dispensing of the sheet product therefrom, wherein the spindle is biased to move within the housing from a dispensing position to a reserve position;
• a retention feature configured to retain the spindle in the dispensing position until the roll of sheet product loaded on the spindle is depleted, wherein the retention feature comprises a tab configured to block movement of the spindle out of the dispensing position to the reserve position within the housing until a sufficient amount of sheet product on the roll of sheet product loaded on the spindle is depleted;
• and
• a frictional feature arranged apart from the spindle and configured to decreasingly apply a friction force to a side surface of the roll of sheet product as the sheet product depletes until the roll of sheet product is no longer in contact with the frictional feature, wherein the frictional feature pivots about a pivot point that is radially spaced from the spindle,
• wherein the frictional feature comprises a cantilevered arm extending from the pivot point across an outer radial portion of the side surface of the roll of sheet product, wherein the frictional feature comprises a distal end, wherein the distal end is radially further from the spindle than the pivot point, wherein the frictional feature is biased to extend toward the side surface of the roll of sheet product,
• wherein the retention feature applies a second friction force to the side surface of the roll of sheet product, wherein the frictional feature is attached to the retention feature and distinct from the retention feature.

A method comprising:

• providing a sheet product dispenser for enabling dispensing from a roll of sheet product loaded therein, the sheet product dispenser comprising:
• a base portion;
• a cover portion configured to move between an open position and a closed position;
• a support portion mounted to the base portion;
• a spindle mounted to the support portion, wherein the spindle is configured to fit within a central opening of the roll of sheet product loaded thereon such that the roll of sheet product is configured to rotate about the spindle during dispensing of the sheet product therefrom;
• a first frictional feature;
• and
• a second frictional feature that is distinct from the first frictional feature;
• causing, via the first frictional feature, application of a first constant friction force to an inner radial portion of a side surface of the roll of sheet product loaded on the spindle as the sheet product depletes;
• and
• causing, via the second frictional feature, application of a second decreasing friction force to an outer radial portion of the side surface of the roll of sheet product loaded on the spindle as the sheet product depletes, wherein the outer radial portion is axially further from the spindle than the inner radial portion,
• wherein the first constant friction force as applied by the first frictional feature remains constant while the second frictional feature applies the second decreasing friction force as the sheet product depletes.