# US 8,740,132 B2 · End plug for a paper roll > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,132 B2 - Document ID: US8740132B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/280,167 - Filed: 2007-02-01 - Published: 2010-09-23 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-03-27 - Assignees: SCA Hygiene Products AB - Applicants: Robert Kling; Anders Andersson; Erik Hjort - Inventors: Robert Kling; Anders Andersson; Erik Hjort - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740132B2 ## CPC - B65B 63/02: for compressing or compacting articles or materials prior to wrapping or insertion in containers or receptacles - A47K 10/38: the web being rolled-up - A47K 10/40: with extensible or collapsible roll supports {or roll spindles} - B65H 75/185: {End caps, plugs or adapters} - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract An end plug to be inserted axially into the center of an end of a roll of paper, includes a holding element adapted to hold and/or guide the end of the roll of paper in correct position in a dispenser. The end plug includes an outer sleeve having an outer end and an inner end and the holding element is connected to the sleeve by elements allowing the holding element to be axially moved from a first position to a second position, in which the holding element protrude outwardly from the outer end of the sleeve, the holding element being releasably held in the first position when moved thereto. A roll of tissue paper including such an end plug and a dispenser provided with such a roll are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An end plug to be inserted axially into a centre of an end of a roll of paper, said end plug comprising: a holding element adapted to hold and/or guide said end of said roll of paper in correct position in a dispenser; and an outer sleeve having an outer end and an inner end and said holding element being connected to said sleeve by means for allowing the holding element to be axially moved from a first retracted position, in which the holding element is located completely inside of the outer sleeve, to a second position, in which the holding element protrudes axially outward from the outer end of said sleeve, wherein said holding element is locked in said second position when moved thereto. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The end plug according to claim 1, wherein said holding element is connected to said sleeve by a toggle joint. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The end plug according to claim 2, wherein said holding element is centrally positioned in relation to the sleeve and joined thereto via at least two toggle-links uniformly arranged around the circumference of said holding element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The end plug according to claim 3, wherein said toggle-links are resilient. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The end plug according to claim 1, wherein said holding element includes a central shaft which is axially and slidably movable within an inner sleeve and held in the second position by stop elements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The end plug according to claim 5, wherein said shaft includes at least one radially projecting, axially extending element which is slidable in an axially directed slot in said inner sleeve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An end plug according to claim 6, wherein said element has at least one projection which in the second position fits into a notch in said inner sleeve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The end plug according to claim 5, wherein the holding element is spring biased against said second position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The end plug according to claim 8, further comprising a mechanism for releasably holding the holding element in said first position, said mechanism including a rotational locking element which in first rotational positions holds the holding element in said first position and in second alternate rotational positions allows the spring force to move the holding element to the second position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The end plug according to claim 1, wherein the holding element has slide elements which are guided by the outer sleeve during movement from the first position to the second position, and locking elements snapping into openings in a side wall of the outer sleeve when the holding element is moved from the first to the second position, thereby locking the holding element in the second position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A roll of tissue paper having at least one end plug according to claim 1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The roll of tissue paper according to claim 11 provided with a core. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The roll of tissue paper according to claim 11 provided with a spindle connecting two opposite end plugs. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A package for a pile of rolls according to claim 11, wherein the pile is contained within a sealed bag. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The package according to claim 14, wherein the pile of rolls is compressed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The package according to claim 14, wherein the bag is water-proof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The package according to claim 16, wherein each roll in the pile is individually wrapped with a moisture sensitive wrap. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A coreless roll of tissue paper according to claim 1. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) A method of packaging a pile of rolls according to claim 11, having a top side, a bottom side and four lateral sides, comprising: applying a compressive force on at least two lateral sides; threading a bag over the pile while maintaining said compressive force; and thereafter sealing the opening of the bag. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) A dispenser provided with at least one roll of tissue paper according to claim 11. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The dispenser according to claim 20 provided with means for bringing the holding element of an end plug from a transport position to a use position, wherein said means includes a gripping element for pulling said holding element outwardly when the gripping elements is moved relative to the end plug. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The dispenser according to claim 20 provided with means for bringing the holding element of an end plug from a transport postition to a use position. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The dispenser according to claim 20 provided with means for bringing the holding element of an end plug from a transport position to a use position, wherein a pushing element on the dispenser acts on a mechanism for releasably holding the holding element in said transport position thereby causing a locking element to move from a first rotational position to a second alternate rotational position, in which a spring force moves the holding element to the use position. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The dispense according to claim 20 provided with means for bringing a holding element of an end plug from a use position to a transport position. ### Claim 25 An end plug to be inserted axially into a centre of an end of a roll of paper, said end plug comprising: a holding element adapted to hold and/or guide said end of said roll of paper in correct position in a dispenser; and an outer sleeve having an outer end and an inner end and said holding element being connected to said sleeve by means for allowing the holding element to be axially moved from a first retracted position to a second position, in which the holding element protrudes axially outward from the outer end of said sleeve, wherein said holding element is locked in said second position when moved thereto, and wherein the holding element has slide elements which are guided by the outer sleeve during movement from the first position to the second position, and locking elements snapping into openings in a side wall of the outer sleeve when the holding element is moved from the first to the second position, thereby locking the holding element in the second position.