Patent Grant
7014140
The invention disclosed herein relates to the dispensing of paper web material, such as toilet tissue or paper towel, from at least one roll of paper web material contained within a dispenser. More particularly, the invention disclosed herein relates to a mechanism to limit the amount of force that a user is able to apply to mechanisms within the dispenser to prevent the user from damaging the dispenser. The inventive concepts will be described hereinafter primarily in relation to toilet tissue dispensers and dispensing tissue from toilet tissue rolls. It is to be realized that the inventive concepts described herein have applications to other types of paper web materials in addition to toilet tissue, including, but not limited to, paper towels.
There has been continuing effort over the years to provide paper web material dispensers, for example toilet tissue dispensers, for dispensing paper web material to a user. To reduce the frequency of service visits needed to replenish toilet tissue dispensers, many tissue dispensers are designed to maximize the amount of tissue held therein. An example of such a dispenser is a large roll tissue dispenser utilizing a single, large roll of tissue material, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,169. Another example is the type of tissue dispenser disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,648,267 and 6,491,251 where a plurality of rolls of tissue are supported on a rotatable device within a housing to dispense tissue from one roll, while the remaining rolls are held in a reserve position waiting to be moved into a dispensing position once the roll currently at the dispensing position is completely or substantially depleted.
In the large roll tissue dispenser disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,169, a turning knob is provided that allows a user to rotate the spindle upon which the tissue roll is disposed, thereby rotating the tissue roll. The provision of a turning knob so a user can rotate the roll is necessary when the tail end of the tissue is not hanging through the dispensing opening of the housing, but is instead disposed within the housing where it is difficult or impossible for the user to access. The knob allows the user to rotate the roll to bring the tail end of the tissue back to the dispensing opening. The tissue dispenser disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,648,267 and 6,491,251 includes a user actuation disk through which a user is able to rotate the spider upon which a plurality of tissue rolls are disposed in order to bring a new roll into a dispensing position once the roll currently at the dispensing position is completely or substantially depleted.
It is possible that the dispenser can be damaged if excessive torque is applied to the turning knob or actuation disk of such dispensers. For example, if a paperjam or mechanical mechanism jam occurs in the dispenser, and the user attempts to overcome the jam by forcefully rotating the turning knob or actuation disk, damage to the dispenser can occur if the applied force is large enough. Further, in the dispenser disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,648,267 and 6,491,251, if the roll currently at the dispensing position is not sufficiently depleted, and the user attempts to force a new roll to the dispensing position, damage to the dispenser can occur.
There is a need for an improved paper web material dispenser, for example a roll tissue dispenser, that has a user actuation mechanism, where the dispenser is designed to prevent excessive force that is applied to the user actuation mechanism from damaging the dispenser.
The invention relates to improvements to a paper web material dispenser, for example a roll tissue dispenser or a roll paper towel dispenser, that has a user actuation mechanism for rotating a dispensing mechanism of the dispenser. A dispenser according to the invention is designed to prevent excessive force that is applied to the user actuation mechanism from causing damage to components of the dispenser connected to the user actuation mechanism.
In particular, a dispenser according to the invention is able to limit the torque that is applied to the dispensing mechanism of the dispenser when a user applies an excessive force to the user actuation mechanism. The torque applied to the dispensing mechanism is kept below a level that would be sufficient to cause damage to the dispensing mechanism or portions thereof.
The concepts of the invention can be applied to numerous types of paper web material dispensers. However, the concepts of the invention have particular use with a tissue dispenser that is designed to hold multiple, e.g. three or four, tissue rolls, and where the dispenser is designed to permit the rolls to be brought sequentially to a dispensing position upon complete or substantial depletion of tissue from the roll that is currently at the dispensing position. The rolls used with the preferred dispenser are preferably reduced core tissue rolls, where each roll has first and second core sections that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap between facing ends thereof so that the total length of the core sections is less than the width of the tissue wound onto the core sections. Reduced core tissue rolls are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,648,267 and 6,491,251.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a paper web material dispenser comprises a housing having a housing interior, and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing interior and mounted for rotation about an axis. The dispensing mechanism is configured to support at least one roll of paper web material thereon. In addition, a user actuation mechanism is accessible from outside the housing, with the user actuation mechanism being supported by the dispenser for movement relative to the housing. A drive mechanism connects the actuation mechanism to the dispensing mechanism, and a slip clutch mechanism is provided that is configured to prevent rotation of the dispensing mechanism when the actuation mechanism is actuated with a force that exceeds a predetermined limit.
In another aspect of the invention, a paper web material dispenser comprises a housing having a housing interior, and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing interior and mounted for rotation about an axis. The dispensing mechanism is configured to support at least one roll of paper web material thereon. In addition, a user actuation mechanism is accessible from outside the housing, with the user actuation mechanism being supported by the dispenser for movement relative to the housing. A drive mechanism connects the actuation mechanism to the dispensing mechanism, and a torque limiting mechanism is provided that is configured to automatically disconnect the dispensing mechanism from the actuation mechanism when the actuation mechanism is actuated with a torque that exceeds a predetermined limit and that is configured to automatically reconnect the dispensing mechanism and the actuation mechanism when the torque on the actuation mechanism falls below the predetermined limit.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a toilet tissue dispenser comprises a housing having a housing interior, a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing interior and mounted for rotation about an axis. The dispensing mechanism is configured to support at least one roll of toilet tissue thereon. In addition, a rotatable actuation disk is supported by the dispenser on the outside of the housing for rotation relative to the housing. Further, a drive mechanism connects the actuation disk to the dispensing mechanism, and the drive mechanism includes a torque limiting mechanism that is configured to prevent rotation of the dispensing mechanism when a torque applied to the actuation disk exceeds a predetermined limit.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a paper web material dispenser comprises a housing having a housing interior, and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing interior and mounted for rotation about an axis. The dispensing mechanism includes a plate, and a plurality of mandrels fixed to the plate and projecting therefrom in a direction generally parallel to the rotation axis of the dispensing mechanism. Each mandrel is configured to support a roll of paper web material thereon, and each mandrel comprises a first mandrel section and a second mandrel section. The first mandrel section has a radial dimension that is greater than a radial dimension of the second mandrel section, and each mandrel includes a ledge between the first and second mandrel sections. The ledge has a radial dimension that is equal to the difference between the radial dimension of the first mandrel section and the radial dimension of the second mandrel section. In addition, a stop is disposed within the housing interior, where the stop includes a portion that projects radially into a rotation path of the mandrels, and where the radial distance that the stop projects into the rotation path is approximately equal to the radial dimension of the ledge.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying description, in which there is described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
These and other features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention and in which:
A paper web material dispenser 10 that incorporates the concepts of the invention is illustrated in
The terms completely depleted and substantially depleted as used in this patent application mean all or a sufficient amount of tissue has been removed from a roll at the dispensing position to allow transfer to the next roll. For sake of convenience, the term depleted will hereinafter be used, it being understood that this term encompasses both complete depletion of tissue as well as depletion to an extent that permits transfer to the next roll.
While the dispenser 10 is described as a three roll toilet tissue dispenser, the concepts described herein can be used on tissue dispensers having a smaller, e.g. one, or larger, e.g. four, number of rolls, as well as on dispensers that dispense other types of paper web material, such as paper towel dispensers.
The dispenser 10 comprises a housing formed by a front cover 12, and a rear housing 14 that together define a housing interior. The rear housing 14 is configured for attachment to a wall or other support surface. The front cover 12 is pivotally connected to the rear housing 14 for pivoting movement relative to the rear housing between a closed position, shown in
Pivotal attachment of the front cover 12 to the rear housing 14 is provided by pivots 16 (shown in
A support post 24 projects toward the front cover 12 from the back plate 26 of the rear housing 14, as shown in
With reference to
Turning to
The torque limiting mechanism 54 is configured to automatically disconnect the dispensing mechanism 28 from the actuation disk 44 when the actuation disk is rotated with a torque that exceeds a predetermined limit, and which automatically reconnects the dispensing mechanism and the actuation disk when the torque on the actuation disk falls below the predetermined limit. In the illustrated embodiment, the torque limiting mechanism 54 is in the form of a slip clutch mechanism that prevents rotation of the dispensing mechanism when the actuation disk is actuated with a force that exceeds the predetermined limit.
With reference to
Due to the flexibility of the arms 62, the ends of the arms 62 will flex out of the teeth 52 when the torque on the disk 44 exceeds a predetermined limit. Preferably, the arms 62 will automatically flex out of the teeth 52 at a torque limit of between approximately 50–60 in/lbs, which, in this disclosed embodiment, is roughly equivalent to 15 lbs of force applied to the handle 45. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines recommend that approximately 5 lbs of force applied to the handle 45 be sufficient to rotate the disk 44 when the dispenser is functioning properly.
When the arms flex out of the teeth, the dispensing mechanism 28 is disconnected from the disk 44 whereby rotation of the disk 44 will no longer be transmitted to remaining portions of the drive mechanism so that the dispensing mechanism will not be rotated. However, when the torque falls below the predetermined limit, the arms 62 will automatically flex back into engagement with the teeth 52, thereby reconnecting the dispensing mechanism 28 and the disk 44 so that rotation of the disk results in rotation of the dispensing mechanism.
The hub 60 of the torque limiting mechanism 54 also includes a square drive projection 64 extending rearwardly therefrom, as shown in
With reference to
The assembled arrangement of parts is illustrated in
The dispenser 10 is configured so that rotation of the disk 44 in one direction only can result in rotation of the dispensing mechanism 28. In particular, when a user is facing the front of the dispenser, only rotation of the disk 44 in a clockwise direction can result in rotation of the dispensing mechanism in a corresponding clockwise direction. Rotation of the disk 44 in a counterclockwise direction will not rotate the dispensing mechanism because the drive faces 70 of the drive teeth on the ratchet 56 and the drive faces 74 of the drive teeth 58 on the end of the post 32 will not engage due to the configuration of the drive teeth 58, 68. However, clockwise rotation of the disk 44 can result in rotation of the dispensing mechanism, because the drive faces 70 of the drive teeth on the ratchet 56 and the drive faces 74 of the drive teeth 58 on the end of the post 32 will engage.
However, rotation of the dispensing mechanism will only occur if the torque on the disk 44 is below the predetermined limit. Malfunctions in the operation of the dispensing mechanism is 28 can cause the torque to increase above the predetermined limit. For example, the dispensing mechanism could become jammed due to a mechanical malfunction or due to tissue paper. Alternatively, a tissue roll that is currently at the dispensing position may not be sufficiently depleted, as will be discussed further below, thereby preventing rotation of the dispensing mechanism. Whatever the cause, if the dispensing mechanism is unable to rotate, and a user applies increasing force to the disk 44 in an effort to force rotation, the flexible arms 62 of the torque limiting mechanism 54 will cause the disk 44 to rotate or slip relative to the torque limiting mechanism when the applied torque exceeds the predetermined limit. This prevents the excessive force from being applied to the remainder of the drive mechanism and to the dispensing mechanism, thereby avoiding potential damage to the dispenser.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 8–10, the details of the dispensing mechanism 28 will now be described. Although these features of the dispensing mechanism are described as being used together with the torque limiting concept discussed above, it is to be realized that the hereinafter described features can be used in a dispenser that does not utilize the disclosed torque limiting concept.
With reference initially to
Each mandrel 34a–c comprises a first mandrel section 104 fixed to the plate 30, a second mandrel section 106 extending from the first mandrel section 104, and a ledge 108. As shown in
As shown in
With reference to
If the roll on the mandrel 34a is not depleted, the mandrel 34a cannot pass by the stop 110. If the roll is not sufficiently depleted, the core section 102 cannot move inwardly toward the post 32 when it engages the deflecting portion 114 due to the amount of tissue remaining on the roll. In that instance, the stop 110 will prevent the new roll from being brought to the dispensing position until the roll on the mandrel 34a is sufficiently depleted to permit enough movement of the core section 102 inwardly toward the post 32 to permit the mandrel 34a to pass by the stop 110.
If the torque limiting mechanism 54 discussed above is used, and a user tries to bring a new roll to the dispensing position prior to the current roll at the dispensing position being depleted, the stop 110 will prevent such an action. However, if the user, faced with the stopping action of the stop 110, tries to force further rotation of the dispensing mechanism by rotating the actuation disk 44 even harder, damage could occur to the dispenser 10, for example the drive mechanism, portions of the dispensing mechanism 28, or the stop 110, if the applied torque is large enough. The torque limiting mechanism 54 will disconnect the driving force of the disk 44 from the remainder of the dispenser prior to the torque level reaching an amount at which damage to the dispenser can occur. As a result, damage to the dispenser is prevented.
The stop 110 further comprises a detent spring 118 that includes a detent finger 120 engaged with the perimeter edge 122 of the plate 30, as best shown in
Each detent 124a–c includes a front stop surface 126 and a ramp surface 128. When the detent finger 120 is within one of the detents 124a–c, the stop surface 126 engages with the finger 120 to prevent counterclockwise rotation of the plate 30. However, the ramp surface 128 allows the finger 120 to leave the detent when the plate 30 is rotated clockwise when bringing a new roll to the dispensing position.
As evident from
In addition, the mandrels 34a–c have features designed to keep the core sections 100, 102 separated when tissue is depleted. With reference to
Referring to
The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein have been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with novel aspects of the invention. Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20050167544 A1 | Aug 2005 | US |
