US 5,314,131 A · Apparatus for dispensing rolled flexible sheet material

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing sheet material from a roll has a storage section wherein at least one reserve roll can be stored on a storage mandrel until depletion of a supply roll positioned on a dispensing mandrel in a dispensing section. Upon depletion of the supply roll, the user may pivot and remove the roll core from the dispensing mandrel. Upon return of the dispensing mandrel to its dispensing position, under a spring bias, the dispensing mandrel displaces and thereby releases a spring arm holding the reserve roll in the storage position against the bias of a spring urging the reserve roll toward the dispensing section. Upon release, the spring pushes the reserve roll onto the dispensing mandrel for dispensing. The dispenser housing has an inner frame member slidable within an outer frame member between a nested position wherein respective ends of the storage and dispensing mandrel are adjacent each other and dispensing and roll transfer can occur, and a protruded position wherein space is provided between respective ends of the storage and dispensing mandrels to allow reloading of the storage and dispensing sections.

Claims37

Dependent claims

An apparatus for storing and dispensing a plurality of rolls of flexible sheet material, comprising:

a housing defining a storage section and a dispensing section;
a storage mandrel for receiving and co-axially supporting within said storage section a reserve roll of sheet material;
a dispensing mandrel movable between a first position wherein a supply roll of sheet material may be co-axially rotatably supported within said dispensing section for dispensing material therefrom, and a second position for user withdrawal of a depleted roll core from the dispensing mandrel;
and
transfer means for automatically transferring a reserve roll from a reserve position on the storage mandrel to a dispensing position on the dispensing mandrel, responsive to said dispensing mandrel substantially arriving at said first position after withdrawal of a depleted roll core.

2 more elements

An apparatus for storing and dispensing a plurality of rolls of flexible sheet material, comprising:

a housing defining a storage section and a dispensing section;
a storage mandrel for receiving and co-axially supporting within said storage section a reserve roll of sheet material;
a dispensing mandrel movable between a first position wherein a supply roll of sheet material may be co-axially rotatably supported within said dispensing section for dispensing material therefrom, and a second position for user withdrawal of a depleted roll core from the dispensing mandrel;
and
transfer means for automatically transferring a reserve roll from a reserve position on the storage mandrel to a dispensing position on the dispensing mandrel, responsive to said dispensing mandrel being moved into said first position after withdrawal of a depleted roll core;
wherein said storage and dispensing mandrels are arranged to assume a substantially co-axial end-to-end relationship with each other when said dispensing mandrel is in said first position, whereby said transfer means automatically moves at least a major portion of a reserve roll off of said storage mandrel and onto said dispensing mandrel responsive to said dispensing mandrel being moved into said first position;
wherein said transfer means comprises:
bias means for biasing a reserve roll on said storage mandrel towards said dispensing mandrel, and moving the reserve roll to said dispensing position;
retention means for releasably retaining said reserve roll on said storage mandrel;
and
release means for releasing said retaining means, and thereby allowing said reserve roll to be moved by said bias means to said dispensing position, responsive to said dispensing mandrel being moved into said first position.

8 more elements

An apparatus for storing and dispensing a plurality of rolls of flexible sheet material, comprising:

a housing defining a storage section and a dispensing section, said housing having inter-engaging inner and outer frame members;
a storage mandrel for receiving and co-axially supporting within said storage section a reserve roll of sheet material, said storage mandrel being attached at one end to a sidewall of one of said inner and outer frame members;
a dispensing mandrel for receiving and coaxially rotatably supporting within said dispensing section a supply roll of sheet material from which material may be dispensed, said dispensing mandrel being attached at one end to a sidewall of the other one of said inner and outer frame members;
and
a transfer mechanism for transferring a reserve roll from a reserve position on the storage mandrel to a dispensing position on the dispensing mandrel following removal of a depleted roll core from the dispensing mandrel;
wherein said inner frame member is movable relative to said outer frame member from:
a first position wherein respective end portions of the storage and dispensing mandrels are adjacent one another so as to permit operation of said transfer mechanism;
and
a second position wherein said respective end portions are spaced from each other allowing replacement rolls to be loaded onto said storage and dispensing mandrels;
and
wherein said inner frame member is movable along a longitudinal axis of said housing in a guideway defined by said outer frame member, is at least partially nested within said outer frame member in said first position, and extends outwardly from said outer frame member in said second position.

8 more elements

An apparatus for storing and dispensing a plurality of rolls of flexible sheet material, comprising:

a housing defining a storage section and a dispensing section, said housing having inter-engaging inner and outer frame members;
a storage mandrel for receiving and co-axially supporting within said storage section a reserve roll of sheet material, said storage mandrel being attached at one end to a sidewall of one of said inner and outer frame members;
a dispensing mandrel for receiving and coaxially rotatably supporting within said dispensing section a supply roll of sheet material from which material may be dispensed, said dispensing mandrel being attached at one end to a sidewall of the other one of said inner and outer frame members;
and
a transfer mechanism for transferring a reserve roll from a reserve position on the storage mandrel to a dispensing position on the dispensing mandrel following removal of a depleted roll core from the dispensing mandrel;
wherein said inner frame member is movable relative to said outer frame member from:
a first position wherein respective end portions of the storage and dispensing mandrels are adjacent one another so as to permit operation of said transfer mechanism;
and
a second position wherein said respective end portions are spaced from each other allowing replacement rolls to be loaded onto said storage and dispensing mandrels;
and
wherein said dispensing mandrel is pivotally mounted to said other frame member for pivotal movement between a first position within said dispensing section and a second position wherein said end portion of said dispensing mandrel extends outwardly of said dispensing section allowing removal of a depleted roll core.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for dispensing rolled flexible sheet material

Life of this patent

Apparatus for dispensing rolled flexible sheet material

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37