Patent application title: TOILET-PAPER ROLL CENTRALIZER
Inventors:
George Sanders (Chelsea, MI, US)
IPC8 Class: AB65H7524FI
USPC Class:
2425715
Class name: Spool loading responsive compressible or deflectable longitudinal rib
Publication date: 2010-08-26
Patent application number: 20100213303
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Patent application title: TOILET-PAPER ROLL CENTRALIZER
Inventors:
George Sanders
Agents:
GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE,ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C
Assignees:
Origin: TROY, MI US
IPC8 Class: AB65H7524FI
USPC Class:
Publication date: 08/26/2010
Patent application number: 20100213303
Abstract:
A device centralizes a roll of toilet tissue onto a rod or spindle.
Assuming the roll of tissue has an inner diameter D and a width W, and
that the rod or spindle has an outer diameter d1, the invention comprises
a pair of disks and a plurality of flexible elements interconnecting the
disks and maintaining the disks in spaced-apart relation. The disks are
separated by a distance corresponding to W, thereby defining a
cylindrical volume having a central longitudinal axis. Each disk has an
outer diameter D' slightly less than D, and an inner diameter d1'
slightly greater than d1. Each flexible element has a central section
extending outwardly beyond the cylindrical volume, such that when a roll
of toilet tissue is inserted over the device the elements flex inwardly
toward the central longitudinal axis and achieve a frictional coupling to
the roll.Claims:
1. A device for centralizing a roll of toilet tissue having an inner
diameter D, and a width W, on a rod or spindle having an outer diameter
d1, the device comprising:a pair of circular disks spaced apart by a
distance corresponding to W, the two disks defining a cylindrical volume
with a central longitudinal axis, each disk having an outer diameter less
than D, and a circular hole formed through each disc, each hole having an
inner diameter greater than d1, thereby enabling the rod or spindle to be
positioned through both holes of the disks;a plurality of flexible
elements interconnecting the disks and maintaining the disks in
spaced-apart relation, each flexible element having a central section
extending outwardly beyond the cylindrical volume, such that when a roll
of toilet tissue is inserted over the device the elements flex inwardly
toward the central longitudinal axis and achieve a frictional coupling to
the roll; andwherein the disks are interconnected only by the plurality
of flexible elements.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein D is on the order of 11/4 to 11/2 inches.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein d1 is on the order of 3/4 inch or greater.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein W is on the order of 41/2 inches.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein:the rod or spindle is a spring-biased unit having a first section with an outer diameter d1 and a second section with an outer diameter d2 which is greater than d1; andthe holes through the disks have different inner diameters corresponding to d1 and d2.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein:d1 is on the order of 3/4 inch or greater; andd2 is on the order of 13/16 to 7/8 inches or greater.
7. The device of claim 1, including three equally spaced springy metal flexible elements.
Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]This invention relates generally to bathroom tissue and, in particular, to apparatus that allows a roll of toilet tissue to be centered on a spindle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]While there may have been a time when the inside diameter of a roll of toilet paper corresponded to the outside diameter of the rod or spindle onto which it is placed, that is no longer the case. Reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows a roll of tissue 108, ordinarily wound onto a cardboard tube having an inner diameter D which is much larger than the diameter of spindle 120 upon which it is placed. This creates certain problems, especially with respect to in-wall type dispensers 101, as shown. Today, for example, the inner diameter D is typically greater than 1 inch, whereas the outside diameter of spindle 120 is typically 1 inch or less. In particular, D may be 11/2 to 15/8 inches, whereas the outside diameter of spindle 120 may be 3/4, 7/8 or 1 inch. With the diameter D being sufficiently larger than the diameter of the spindle 120, it is not centered on the spindle, and rubbing may occur at point "X," causing sanitation issues or sheets to tear at unwanted times.
[0003]FIG. 2 illustrates a typical existing spring-loaded-type spindle. This spindle, also designated as 120, includes a portion 112 having an outside diameter d2 of 13/16 to 1 inch, depending upon whether metal or plastic construction is used. The portion 112 is received by a smaller-diameter portion 116, having an outside diameter d1 of approximately 3/4 inch. In any case, these dimensions are also significantly less than the inner diameter of tissue rolls, leading to the problems outlined above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004]This invention solves problems of the type just described by providing a device for centralizing a roll of toilet tissue onto a rod or spindle. Assuming the roll of tissue has an inner diameter D and a width W, and that the rod or spindle has an outer diameter d1, the invention comprises a pair of disks and a plurality of flexible elements interconnecting the disks and maintaining the disks in spaced-apart relation.
[0005]The disks are separated by a distance corresponding to W, thereby defining a cylindrical volume having a central longitudinal axis. Each disk has an outer diameter D' slightly less than D, and an inner diameter d1' slightly greater than d1. Each flexible element has a central section extending outwardly beyond the cylindrical volume, such that when a roll of toilet tissue is inserted over the device the elements flex inwardly toward the central longitudinal axis and achieve a frictional coupling to the roll.
[0006]In the preferred embodiment, D is on the order of 11/2 to 15/8 inches, d1 is on the order of 3/4 inch or greater, and W is on the order of 41/2 inches. In the case where the rod or spindle is a spring-biased unit having a first section with an outer diameter d1 and a second section with an outer diameter d2 which is greater than d1, the disks have different inner diameters. In particular, one of the disks has an inner diameter d2' slightly greater than d2, wherein d2 is on the order of 13/16 to 7/8 inches or greater. The preferred embodiment uses three equally spaced springy metal flexible elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007]FIG. 1 is a drawing in partial cross-section which shows the problems that may arise with existing in-wall toilet tissue dispensers;
[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective representative of a typical spring-loaded spindle;
[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0010]FIG. 4 is an end view of the preferred embodiment; and
[0011]FIG. 5 shows a roll of tissue being installed on the preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012]Having discussed the prior art and the limitations thereof, the reader's attention is directed to FIG. 3, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, generally depicted at 100. The device includes a first disk 102 having an inner diameter 110. The first disk 102 is spaced apart and generally parallel to a second disk 104 which has an inner diameter 114. The outer diameter D' of both disks 102, 104 is slightly less than the inside diameter of a typical roll of toilet paper, which has been found to be 11/2 to 15/8 inches. Accordingly, diameter D' is preferably on the order of 11/4 to 11/2 inches.
[0013]Continuing the reference to FIG. 3, the inside diameter 110 (d2') of disk 102 and the inside diameter 114 (d1') of disk 104 may be equal, in the case of a spindle having a uniform outer diameter. In such a case, both inside diameters 110, 114 would be slightly larger than the outside diameter of the spindle. For example, if the spindle had a diameter on the order 3/4 inch, inside diameters 110, 114 would preferably be 7/8 to 1 inch, or thereabouts.
[0014]However, in the case of a spring-loaded spindle of the type shown in FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of the invention includes disks 102, 104 having different inside diameters. In particular, disk 102, to be received over portion 112 of the spindle 120, would have an inside diameter d2' just greater than 3/4 to 7/8 inch. Accordingly, d2' would preferably be 15/16 to 1 inch, or thereabouts. Disk 104, on the other than, to be received over portion 116 of spindle 120, would have an inside diameter 114 (d1') slightly greater than 3/4 inch. Accordingly, diameter d1' would preferably be on the order of 13/16 to 7/8 inch, or thereabouts.
[0015]The end disks 102, 104 are spaced apart by flexible elements 105, 106, 107. While three such flexible elements are shown, a greater plurality may be used and, for that matter, two opposing flexible elements may alternatively be used in some cases, depending upon construction. The disks 102, 104, as well as the flexible elements, regardless of number, may be constructed of plastic or metal, and may be joined through a frictional fit (as shown), or gluing or other bonding techniques may be used. In addition to metal or plastic, disks 102, 104 may be constructed of other materials, such as wood or even cardboard.
[0016]FIG. 4 is an end-view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 seen from the direction shown in FIG. 3. This view is shown to illustrate how flexible elements, regardless of number, extend outwardly from diameter D' to diameter D'' which is larger, preferably on the order of 2''. As shown, when the apparatus 100 is placed over a spindle such as 120, and inserted into a roll of tissue as shown in FIG. 5, flexible elements such as 105, 106, 107 bend inwardly toward the overall axis of the system, thereby centering the roll on the spindle, and avoiding the problems depicted in FIG. 1.
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