Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to intellectual property rights such as but not limited to copyright, trademark, and/or trade dress protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a rolled material dispenser. The rolled material dispenser provides a rod that is secured in place by an endcap. The rod receives various types of rolled material including but not limited to gift wrap. The end cap of the rolled material dispenser then secures the rod and material inside the dispenser body. A dispenser lid is attached to the dispenser body. The dispenser lid provides a cutting apparatus, allowing the user to remove the desired amount of rolled material from the roll. The dispenser also provides beveled edges for easier gripping.
In the known art, the dispensers are difficult to grip for certain persons. Users with arthritis and other conditions that affect hand strength and dexterity have difficulty gripping an object with so few contact surfaces. The present invention enables users with decreased hand strength to cut the rolled material safely and effectively. The beveled edges of the present invention provide additional gripping surface. The bevels provide contact points at various angles. The user's hand may contact the wrap cutting device in more locations and at different angles.
The known art does not provide these beveled edges. The known art limits the amount of contact a person with decreased hand strength and dexterity can make with these devices, making it harder for them to use these devices.
Similarly, the cutting devices of the known art are flush with the dispenser or generally small and unstable. Small or flat cutting devices are difficult for users with decreased hand strength and dexterity to grip. The cutting device of the present invention provides a cutting device with extended cutting body to allow the user to better and more safely use the cutting device.
The rolled material dispenser of the present invention overcomes many disadvantages of the known art. The rolled material dispenser provides beneficial features not found in currently available devices. In view of the foregoing, the rolled material dispenser of the present invention is well suited for providing a safe, effective method of dispensing and cutting rolled material. Therefore, the present invention is needed to provide a more effective device for dispensing rolled material.
II. Description of the Known Art
Patents and patent applications disclosing relevant information are disclosed below. These patents and patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,520 issued to Nichols et al. on Feb. 21, 2006 (the '520 patent) teaches a roll supporting slide cutter assembly incorporating a traversable cutter tab that is capable of being supported within a carton enclosure associated with a wrap material roll. The cutter assembly taught by the '520 patent extends lengthwise from the body. An edge of the rolled material is then unwound and makes contact with the cutter assembly. The cutting assembly then separates the section of rolled material from the roll contained within the carton.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,424,843 issued to Guillory on Sep. 16, 2008 (the '843 patent) teaches a wrapping paper storage device and dispenser. The device taught in the '843 patent supports a sheet of wrapping paper between the top wall of the dispenser and a flap member. The flap member provides a flap slot. A cutter taught by the '843 patent traverses the flap slot, making contact with the hard flat polymeric sheet below. This separates the material from the roll. The '843 patent also teaches that the cutter may be detachable and consist solely of a razor blade.
The rolled material dispenser of the present invention provides a safe and convenient method of cutting a portion of material from a roll of the material. This includes but is not limited to wrapping paper, saran wrap, plastic wrap, and foil. The rolled material dispenser provides a dispenser body. A rod is located inside the dispenser body. The user places a roll of material onto the rod within the dispenser. The end cap of the dispenser body rod secures the rod within the dispenser body. The end cap and dispenser body end provide rod installation apertures that support the rod and secure the rod in place.
The end cap, dispenser body, and lid provide at least one beveled edge. In one embodiment, the rolled material dispenser provides three beveled edges in which the front lower edge is not beveled. In another embodiment, the rolled material dispenser provides two beveled edges in which the front and rear upper edges are beveled. These bevels run horizontally along the dispenser body, providing the user with a contoured contact area.
The lid of the wrap dispenser extends from the back of the dispenser body, over the rolled material, and to the base of the dispenser body. The lid of the wrap dispenser provides at least one beveled edge. The lid also provides a track and cutting device to sever a section of the rolled material from the roll within the dispenser body.
The cutting device moves along the track in the dispenser lid. The track runs horizontally along the front facing long edge of the dispenser. The cutting device provides a blade that severs a segment of material from the roll, and an extended cutting body to allow the user to easily move the cutting device along the track. The cutting device traverses the track along the width of the roll of material.
In one embodiment, the rolled material dispenser provides a stopper. The stopper allows the user to utilize rolls of material that are shorter than the rod in the rolled material dispenser. Turning a knob on the stopper allows the user to secure the stopper in place to secure the shorter roll of material on the rod within the rolled material dispenser.
The present invention provides a method of quickly and easily removing a section of material from a roll of material. Many different materials such as wrapping paper and cooking foil are sold in rolls. The present invention allows persons with decreased hand strength and dexterity to safely and effectively remove a section of the desired length from the roll.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable method of removing a segment of unrolled material from a roll.
It is an object of the present invention to assist users with decreased hand strength.
It is an object of the present invention to assist users with decreased hand dexterity.
It is an object of the present invention to increase comfort of the user.
It is an object of the present invention to allow for easier removal of a segment of rolled material from a roll.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing design.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections and the attached drawings.
In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:
The present invention relates generally to a rolled material dispenser 100. The rolled material dispenser 100 provides cutting device 102 to remove a section of rolled material that is stored on rod 116 of rolled material dispenser 100. The rolled material may be one of many materials including but not limited to wrapping paper, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap.
The user dispenses the desired amount of material from the roll of material. The material to be removed from the roll is placed between dispenser lip 130 and lid 118.
Cutting device 102 moves along track 108 to cut the material. The user slides the cutting device across the material by applying pressure to cutting body 104. The user then cuts the desired amount of material from the roll. The user cuts the material with the cutting device. Blade 106 of cutting device 102 severs the segment of rolled material from the roll installed within the dispenser body.
In one embodiment, rolled material dispenser 100 provides bevel 120, bevel 122, and bevel 124. These bevels form a contoured surface of the rolled material dispenser 100, allowing users with decreased hand strength and dexterity to more easily grip the rolled material dispenser 100. Corner 123 of one embodiment is not beveled.
The dispenser body 101 provides a housing for placement of the rod and the rolled material. The dispenser body forms a side wall 98 at dispenser end 110 a partial top wall 96, a partial front wall 94, a rear wall 92, and a side opening 90 located at the end opposite of the side wall 98. End cap attaches to the dispenser body 101 to form a side wall 111 opposite side wall 98. In one embodiment, side wall 98 is an end cap similar to end cap 112 that removably attaches the dispenser body 101.
Dispenser body 101 also provides a dispensing aperture 88. Lid 118 adjusts between a closed position shown in
The dispensing aperture 88 creates an opening in the front and top of the dispensing body 101. The dispensing aperture extends from the front wall 94 through the top wall. Lid 118 attaches to the top wall 96 and adjusts to the closed position to limit access into the dispensing device 101 through the top and front. Closing the lid 118 closes the front and the top.
The user then closes lid 118 to contact and secure the material. The closed lid 118 limits movement of the material to allow for improved cutting of the material. Closing lid 118 retains the segment of rolled material in place and limits movement of the material. The lid 118 also secures the material in a flat position to assist with cutting the material.
The lid 118 pivotally attaches to the dispensing body. In one embodiment, the lid 118 pivotally attaches to the top wall of the dispensing body. The lid provides an upper section 119 that forms a top portion of the lid 118. Bevel 120 angles downward from upper section 119. Front section 121 extends vertically downward from the upper section 119. The upper section 119 serves as a component of the top wall of the dispensing body to close the dispensing aperture along the top of the dispensing body. The front section 121 serves as a component of the front wall of the dispensing body to close the dispensing aperture along the front of the dispensing body.
The user then moves cutting device 102 horizontally along track 108. This movement causes blade 106 of cutting device 102 to travel across the material to sever the desired length of rolled material from the roll installed on rod 116.
End cap 112 provides rod installation aperture 114 and attachment finger 115. Attachment finger 115 extends laterally outward from the ends of the dispensing body to support the rod. Rod installation aperture 114 within the attachment finger 115 supports and secures rod 116. End cap 112 removably attaches to dispenser body 101 for placement of rod 116 between dispenser end 110 and end cap 112. Rod installation aperture 114 of end cap 112 and rod installation aperture 113 of dispenser end 110 support and suspend rod 116 inside dispenser body 101. In one embodiment, rod 116 remains in a fixed position. In another embodiment, rod 116 rotates.
As discussed above, end cap 112 attaches to dispenser body 101. Attachment finger 133 of dispenser body 101 inserts into attachment aperture 134 to attach the end cap 112 to dispenser body 101. The user removes the attachment finger 133 from the attachment aperture 134 to release the end cap 112 from the dispenser body 101.
End cap 112 provides at least one bevel. In this embodiment, there are three bevels. Bevel 120, bevel 122, and bevel 124 begin at dispenser end 110 and extend lengthwise along the dispenser lid 118 and dispenser body 101 to end cap 112.
After pulling the desired amount of the material 148 from the roll, the user closes lid 118 as shown in
Turning fastener head 140 raises and lowers fastener 142. Fastener 142 extends through the opening 137. The fastener 142 contacts rod 116 to secure the stopper 136 onto the rod 116 and limit movement of the stopper 136 on the rod 116.
Turning fastener head 140 in a first direction lowers fastener 142 to contact rod 116 and secure stopper 136 in place. Turning fastener 140 in a second direction raises fastener 142 away from rod 116 to allow the stopper 136 to move freely along rod 116.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This application claims priority to and is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/672,434 entitled “ROLLED MATERIAL DISPENSER” filed on May 16, 2018.
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