Container for dispensing paper

[57] ABSTRACT

A container for dispensing paper of the type which is normally rolled about a tubular core, including means carried by the container for releasably attaching the container to a readily accessible place in a motor vehicle or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the container comprises a substantially enclosed hollow housing having two opposed end walls connected by longitudinally disposed side walls; the opposing end walls having means for rotatably mounting the tubular core of the paper roll, while one of the side walls is provided with an elongated opening having a length at least equal to the longitudinal length of the paper roll to permit the withdrawal of selected lengths of the paper therethrough as the paper roll is rotated. In the second embodiment, means are provided on one of the end walls to cause rotation of the paper roll.

Claims, 8 Drawing Figures

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PATENTEOJUN 6197?

3.667,597

SHEET 1 OF 2

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PATENTED JUN 6197?

SHEET 2 OF 2

3,667,597

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INVENTOR

FIG-8 LESLIE HOLLISTER

BY

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Goneys

3,667,597

CONTAINER FOR DISPENSING PAPER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in dispensing containers and is particularly concerned with the construction of a paper dispensing container having a novel manner for mounting such a container.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Heretofore devices of this general character have had certain structural disadvantages rendering them objectionable under certain conditions of use. Normally, paper such as paper towels, toilet paper and the like are packaged by the manufacturer in separate containers and must be removed from these containers when use thereof is required and placed in a second container, which in turn is normally permanently fixed to the wall surface upon which the paper roll or the like is to be carried and from which it is dispensed. These known prior devices, in order to be effective, must be simple in their design and afford simple means for the insertion of the roll of paper; must include means for retaining the roll of paper in place; must not be difficult to mount; and further, must be operated so as not to become disassembled inadvertently during use. Such prior devices must also be constructed in a rugged manner of sufficient strength and at a minimum cost. None of the prior art devices provides a construction and assembly for dispensing paper and the like which overcomes all of these aforementioned objectionable characteristics. It would thus be desirable to provide a dispensing device which, in addition to eliminating the aforementioned problems, provides new and desirable features heretofore unattainable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention which will be described subsequently in greater detail comprises a container, preferably constructed of a disposable material, for use in dispensing paper of the type which is normally rolled about a tubular core. The container comprises a substantially enclosed hollow housing having two opposed end walls connected by longitudinally disposed side walls; the end walls and side walls defining a cavity in which a paper roll is mounted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis extending between the end walls. The cavity is of such a size as to permit the free rotational movement of the paper roll. An elongated opening extending through one of the side walls has a length at least equal to the length of the paper roll to permit the withdrawal of selected lengths of the paper therethrough as the paper roll is rotated. The container is adapted to be releasably mounted to the wall surface on which the dispenser is to be disposed; the mounting means including an adhesive or a magnet attached to one side wall of the container and respectively adapted to attach the container to non-metallic and metallic surfaces depending upon where the container is to be used.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing container having a novel mounting arrangement.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing container which also functions as the packaging container in which the paper rolls and the like are initially disposed and in which they are transported from the manufacturer to the user.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispensing container which will be strong and durable, pleasing in appearance, conform to the surroundings in which it is used, and which is economical to manufacture and thus less expensive to the user.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a dispensing container having all of the above mentioned advantages and which is constructed of a material which permits the disposal of the container when the paper roll or the like contained therein has been exhausted.

Other objects, advantages, and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art of dispensing containers when the accompanying description of some examples of the best modes contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like or equivalent parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the interior of an automobile with a dispensing container constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown in position for use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dispensing container embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispensing container illustrated in FIG. 2 and taken along line 3—3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the dispensing device illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. S is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispensing container illustrated in FIG. 4 and taken along line 5—5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a dispensing container incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is another embodiment of a dispensing container incorporating the features of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective partially exploded view of yet another embodiment of a dispensing container employing the features of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-3 one example of the present invention is illustrated in the form of a dispensing container 10 mounted to the underside of a dashboard 12 of a motor vehicle or the like.

The container 10 comprises a substantially enclosed tubular housing 14 having opposing parallel end walls 16 and 18 longitudinally connected by a plurality of side walls 20, each of which is disposed in a plane at right angles to the other, such that the housing 14 has substantially rectilinear cross section. The interior of the housing 14 provides a cavity 21 in which a paper roll 22 is disposed. The paper roll 22 is formed of a disposable paper 23 rolled about a tubular core 24 in a well known manner and is commonly referred to as a paper towel.

The cavity 21 defined by the end walls 16 and 18 and the side walls 20 is so sized that there is sufficient clearance between the outer periphery 25 of the paper roll 22 and the side walls 20, and between the opposite ends 26 of the paper roll 22 and the end walls 16 and 18 to permit relatively free rotational movement of the paper roll 22 with respect to the housing 14 in a manner which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Each of the end walls 16 and 18 have apertures 28, the walls of which form an annular flange 30 extending inwardly into the cavity 21. The annular flanges 30 formed on each wall 16 and 18 are axially aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis of the housing 14. One of the side walls 20 is provided with an elongated opening 32 having a length at least equal to the length of the paper roll 22, but preferably somewhat greater. The width of the opening 32 should be sufficient to permit the user of a container 10 to insert at least two fingers therethrough to grasp the disposable paper 23 so as to be able to withdraw a selected amount of the paper 23 through the opening 32.

The tubular core 24 of the paper roll 22 extends outwardly beyond the opposite ends 26 of the paper roll 22 a sufficient distance so as to encircle the flanges 30 formed on the opposing end walls 16 and 18, the engagement being so arranged that the paper roll 22 will rotate about the aligned axes of the flanges 30 as the user of the dispenser withdraws the paper 23

3,667,597 from the container 10. Thus the paper roll 22 is adapted to rotate about an axis which is parallel to and inwardly spaced from the opening 32, thereby permitting an even withdrawal of the paper 23 from the paper roll 22.

The housing 14 of the container 10 is preferably constructed of a lightweight cardboard material, however, the housing 14 may also be constructed of an inexpensive plastic material. The container 10 may be constructed by the manufacturer such that one or both of the end walls 16 and 18 are attached to the side walls 20 after the paper roll 22 has been inserted therein and then the end walls 16 and 18 are fixed to the side walls 20 (see FIG. 5) by any suitable means, such as by a bonding agent or the like. Thus the dispensing container 10 functions as a packaging container for the transportation of the paper roll 22 to the user. A suitable sealing means, such as a tape (not shown), may be placed over the opening 32 to protect the paper roll 22 from exterior elements.

A mounting element 34 is carried by one of the side walls 20 of the housing 14 and is illustrated in FIG. 2 in the form of a thin strip 36 having an adhesive surface 38 on the exposed side of the strip 36 of the type which when pressed against a wall surface, such as the bottom of the dashboard 12, will be of sufficient strength to hold the container 10 in position, yet of the type which will permit removal of the container 10 from the dashboard 12 when the paper roll 22 has been exhausted. A protective sheet of paper 40 is provided over the adhesive surface 38 of the strip 36 to protect the same during shipment of the container 10 from manufacturer to the user.

The adhesive strip 36 may be attached to the side wall 20 by the manufacturer by any suitable bonding agent, or the same may be enclosed within the container 10 and removed therefrom by the user and attached to the surface 20 and used as described. The tape 36 may provide a dual function in that it may be used initially by the manufacturer to enclose the opening 32 during shipment of the container 10, whereupon it is removed from the opening 30 and placed upon the top side of the container side wall 20 and used to mount the container 10 as hereinbefore described.

It can thus be seen that the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1-3 provides a dispensing container which functions both as a packaging container for the shipping of the paper roll 22 from the manufacturer to the user and as a dispenser for the paper roll 22. Further, the container 10 is removably attachable to any selected surface by means of the adhesive strip 36, and thus after the paper roll 22 has been exhausted the same may be detached from its wall surface where use of the container 10 has been had, and disposed of as the same may be constructed of a very inexpensive material.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 for a detailed description of a modified form 42 of the dispensing container 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The modified dispensing container 42 takes the form of a tubular substantially enclosed housing 44 having opposing disc-shaped ends 46 and 48 connected by a cylindrical body 45. The interior of the housing 44 forms a cavity 50 in which the paper roll 22 is rotatably mounted. Mounting of the paper roll 22 is provided by the opposing disc ends 46 and 48 by a pair of axially aligned apertures 52, one of which is shown in FIG. 5. A rod member 54 extends through the tubular core 24 and is received by the apertures 52 in each disc end 46 and 48 proximate the opposite ends of the tubular core 24. The rod member 54 has an enlarged section 56 which engages the interior surface of the tubular core 24 such that the rod member 54 and the paper roll 22 rotate as a single unit. The opposite ends of the rod member 54 engage the apertures 52 in such a manner that the rod member 54 is freely rotatable with respect to the ends 46 and 48. One end 58 of the rod member 54 extends through the disc end 46 and is received in a bore 60 of a knob 62. The knob 62 and rod member 54 are preferably constructed of a plastic with the rod member end 58 and the knob bore 60 sized to create a slight interference between them to insure a tight engagement. It can thus be seen that by rotating the knob 62 the paper roll 22 will rotate therewith.

An opening 64 extending longitudinally across the tubular housing 44 has a length which is at least equal to the length of the paper roll 22 and preferably slightly larger to permit the paper 23 forming the paper roll 22 to extend therethrough for withdrawal by the user. The opposite ends of said opening terminate at points spaced inwardly from the opposite ends of housing 44. The opposite ends of the rod 54 are mounted in the apertures 52 such that the paper roll 22 will freely rotate upon the withdrawal of the paper 23 from the paper roll 22 without the aid of the knob 62. The primary purpose of the knob 62 is to rotate the paper roll 22 such that the free end of the paper will be proximate the opening 64 so as to permit the individual to insert his fingers therein and easily grasp the end to withdraw the paper 23 as hereinbefore described. The knob and rod member arrangement may also be used with the other embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8 by proper modification.

It is to be understood that the embodiment in FIG. 4 may be constructed without the enlarged section 56 on the rod member 54 and without the knob 62 such that withdrawal of the paper by the user thereof permits relative rotational movement of the paper roll 22 about the rod member 54 in a manner similar to the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 2. During assembly of the container 42, the paper roll 22 is inserted in through one end such as at 46, which in turn is suitably attached to the end of the tubular housing 44 by any suitable adhesive.

Mounted on a portion of the tubular housing 44 is an adhesive strip 65, which is similar to the adhesive strip 36 hereinbefore described and functions in the same manner and likewise may be used to enclose the opening 65 during shipment of the paper roll from the manufacturer to the user. The container 42 functions as both a shipping container and a dispensing container.

Referring now to FIG. 6 where there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention in the form of a tubular dispensing container 66 having a rectilinear cross-section and adapted to contain paper in the form of interleafed sheets 68 of disposable paper towels; such sheets being well known and commonly used and a further description of them is not necessary. The container 66 has two opposing end walls 70 connected by four side walls 76 by any suitable means, the top side wall of which has an adhesive strip 74 that is substantially similar to the strip 36. The bottom side wall 72 opposite the top side wall is provided with an elongated opening 76 to permit the withdrawal of the interleafed sheets 68 one at a time. The container 66 is likewise constructed of a material, such as coardboard or plastic, to permit the disposal of the same after the paper contained therein has been exhausted. It can thus be seen that the container 66 functions as both a shipping container and a dispensing container having releasably attaching means.

Referring now to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 7, there is illustrated a tubular dispensing container 78 for mounting and dispensing a roll of toilet paper 80. The container 78 is illustrated as having a rectilinear cross-section, but may be fabricated in a cylindrical shape similar to the embodiment described in FIG. 4. The container 78 comprises two opposing end walls 82 and 84 having apertures 86 and 88 to receive a rod member 90, which in tum extends through a tubular core 92 on which the roll of toilet paper 80 is formed. The opposite end walls 82 and 84 are connected by four side walls 94 to enclose the toilet paper 80 during shipment of the same. The bottom side wall 94' is provided with perforated edges 96 to permit its complete removal from the container 78 so as to permit free entry into the interior of the container 78 by the individual who desires use of the paper 80 contained therein. An adhesive tape 98 is provided on the rear walls 94 to permit attachment of the container 78 to the wall surface upon which use of the container 78 is desired. During manufacture of the container 78, the roll of paper 80 is inserted into the container by any one of the methods described hereinbefore.

3,667,597

It is well known that such toilet paper rolls normally are packaged and transported separately from the dispenser and that such dispensers usually take the form of a metal container permanently mounted to the wall surface where their use is desired. The present application provides a toilet paper container for use in shipping the paper from the manufacturer to the user, while at the same time provides a means for dispensing the toilet paper. The container 78 may be constructed of a disposable material and thus such a disposable container will find numerous applications, particularly in industrial facilities and public restrooms.

Referring now to FIG. 8 for description of yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is illustrated a tubular container 100 having a housing 101 of a rectilinear crosssection and fabricated preferably from a plastic or light-weight metal. The housing 101 has opposing end walls 102 and 104 with axial aligned flanges 106 and 108 formed respectively on their inner surfaces. The flanges 106 and 108 receive the opposite ends of a rod member 110, which in turn extends axially through the tubular core 24 of the paper roll 22 to support the same for rotational movement about the axis of the rod member 110. The opposing end walls 102 and 104 are integrally connected to forward, rearward and top side walls respectively, indicated by the numerals 112, 114 and 116. A bottom side wall 118 is hinged at its opposite ends at 120 to the forward side wall 112 so that the bottom side wall 118 may be pivoted to and away from the bottom of the housing 101 to permit access to the interior thereof to replace the paper roll 22 when the original paper roll has been exhausted. The rod member 110 is so sized with respect to the flanges 106 and 108 that the rod member 110 may be easily snapped in and out of the flanges. Thus the container 100 is reusable.

Latching member 120 carried at the bottom of the rearward wall 116 engages a slot 122 formed in the bottom wall when the same is pivoted to a closed position during use of the container 100. An elongated opening 124 disposed between the hinges 120 and extending slightly upwardly into the forward side walls 112 permits the withdrawal of the paper roll 22 as desired. The opening 124 is of a length at least equal to the length of the paper roll 22 and of a width sufficient to permit the insertion of the user’s fingers to grasp the end of the paper roll 22 to withdraw the same from the housing.

A pair of magnets 126 are illustrated as being fastened to the exterior surface of the rearward side wall 116 by any suitable means, such as screws or an adhesive bonding agent, however, the magnets may be fastened to the top side wall 114, depending upon where it is desired to use the container 100. The magnets 126 permit the container 100 to be selectively and releasably attached to any metal surface upon which the dispenser is desired to be used. In lieu of the magnets 126, a suitable adhesive tape, such as the strips 36, 64, 74 or 98 respectively used in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2,4, 6 and 7, may be used depending upon the particular location in which the container is to be used.

In use, the manufacturer of the container 100 may provide both the magnets 126 and the adhesive tape within the container 100 during shipment and provide a suitable adhesive to attach the magnets or tape to whichever side the user of the container 100 desires for his own convenience.

It can thus be seen that the present invention has provided a container which is adaptable to be used both in packaging and shipping container by the manufacturer thereof and which is equally usable for dispensing a paper roll and the like therefrom; which is adapted to be removably attached to any surface proximate the area in which such paper roll or the like is desired to be used; and which in several of the embodiments may be disposed of after the paper roll contained therein has been exhausted.

It can also be seen that the present invention has provided a simple, practical, and reliable construction that is attractive in appearance, extremely economical to manufacture and one which will be durable and efficient during its useful life.

While the foregoing has described the features and advantages of the several embodiments of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art of containers that changes in form and proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.