US2873927A - Paper dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 17, 1959 D. MCDONALD PAPER DISPENSER 5 Sheeis-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. l2, 1955 INVENTOR. DONALD vrvmDolv/ELD BY E I q H i S ATTO R N E YS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. l2, 1953 JNVENToR. DONALD Mc DONALD Hls ATTORNEYS United States Patent O PAPER DISPENSER Donald McDonald, Dayton, Ohio; Joanne Louise Mc- Donald, as commissioner to transfer property of said Donald McDonald, deceased, assgnor to herself Application November 12, 1953, Serial No. 391,587

Claims. (Cl. 242-5551) This invention relates to a paper dispenser and more particularly to a dispenser of the type used in dispensing paper toweling material. However, the'invention is not so limited due to the fact that it may be used with other types of paper, and may also be used to dispense any type of strip material.

It is an object of this invention to provide a paper dispenser in which the user has access to only a portion of the paper which is to be cut ot by the user during an operation of the paper dispenser of this invention. This object is accomplished by providing a dispenser in which a small amount of paper is automatically exposed from the device after each cutting operation of the device. The user, therefore, may manually grasp the portion of the paper which is normally exposed and extend the strip to any desired length before the device is operated to sever that desired length from the remainder of the strip.

More particularly it is an object of this invention to provide a dispenser in which pressure on a spring biased lever iirst severs a predetermined quantity of paper as the lever is pushed inwardly and prepares to resiliently operate lto dispense a new portion of paper as the lever moves outwardly. i

Another object of this invention is to provide a paper dispenser in which standard rolls of paper may be inserted and replaced readily and easily.

Another object of the invention is to provide a paper dispenser in which constant restraining pressure against rotation is exerted upon the roll of paper in the dispenser.

Another object of this invention is to provide a practical dispenser which may be manufactured at low cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which is quiet in operation. `Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawing,

Figure l is a perspective View of a paper dispenser of this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the cover portion in a raised position and showing a roll of paper mounted Within the housing.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevational View of 'the paper dispenser of this invention with parts broken away, showing a pivotally mounted cylinder holding arm attached to the housing of the dispenser.

Figure 4 is a side sectional view disclosing the elements within the housing of the dispenser as the elements are normally positioned. n,

,Figure 5 is a side sectional view disclosing the position of the elements within the dispenser when kthe push plate or lever has been partially actuated and the cutting element has engaged the strip of paper.

Figure 6 is a side sectional view showing a portion of the lcover of the housing broken away and disclosing the position of the elements within the dispenser when the Mice strip of paper has been severed and the push plate or lever has been fully actuated.

Figure 7 is a side sectional view similar to Figure 6 and disclosing the position of the elements within the housing when a section of paper has been cut and the elements of the device are in position to operate to expose another predetermined length of paper from the dispenser.

Figure 8 is a sectional View with parts broken away disclosing the manner in which a cylinder upon which paper is rolled is engaged by a cylinder holding arm when there is substantially a full roll of paper on the cylinder.

Figure 9 is a section view similar to Figure 8 and showing the manner in which the cylinder is engaged by the cylinder holding arm when there is a small roll of paper on the cylinder.

tal portion 12 which extends the length of the frame 10.

At each end of the frame 10 and supported in a generally vertical position at each end of the horizontal portion 12 is a support arm 14l pivotally attached to the horizontal portion 12 by means of hinges 16. A pair of helical springs 18 is attached to the frame 10 and each helical spring 1S is attached to an arm 14, resiliently biasing the support arms 14 one toward the other. Attached to each 'of the support arms 14 is a stem 19 terminating in a cone 20, adjacent the upper end thereof as clearly shown in Figure 3. The cone 20 is adapted to engage a cylinder, such as cylinder 22 shown in Figures 3,l 8 and 9, upon which a strip of paper is rolled. The stems 19, in cooperation with the helical springs 18, provide a fixed amount of resistance to the rotation of the cylinder 22.

Each stern 19 comprises a cylindrical portion 21 adjacent the cone 20 and an annular curved portion 23 adjacent the arm 14. The cone 20 provides means by which the cylinder 22 may be easily aligned with the stem 19. It is noted that the inner diameter of the cylinder 22 is larger than the cylindrical portion 21 of the stern 19. When a substantially full roll of paper such as shown in Figure 8 is supported by the stem 19, the Weight of the paper is sufficient to cause the cylinder 22 to rest on the cylindrical portion 21 of the stern 19. The tension of the spring 18 is insufficient to pull the support arm 14 inwardly to fully engage the curved portion 23 ofthe stem 19 against the weight of the roll of paper until the roll of paper has decreased in size and its Weight is reduced suiliciently so that the weight of the roll of paper is overcome by the spring 18 and the spring 18 is able to pull the arm 14 inwardly to engage the curved portion 23 with the cylinder 22, as shown in Figure 9. When the cylinder 22 is resting only upon the cylindrical portion 21 of the stem 19 the surface area of the cylinder 22, engaged by the cylindrical portion 21, is comparatively small. However, the Weight of the roll of paper is comparatively great. As the roll of paper decreases in size, the weight becomes smaller and the tension of the spring 18 is able to gradually pull the stem 19 deeper into the cylinder 22. As the depth of the stem 19 within the cylinder 22 becomes greater, a larger surface area of the cylinder 22 is contacted by the curved portion 23 of the stem 19. Therefore, the total surface area is greater but the total weight upon the surface is smaller. Thence, the frictional force of the cylinder 22 against the stem 19 remains substantially constant as the roll of paper decreases in size. In other words, the spring 18 and the stem 19 are so created and arranged that the weight of the cylinder 22 upon the stem 19 is alwaysI balanced by the spring 18 so that constant pressure is maintained by the cylinder 22 against the stem 19. As the weight upon the lstem becomes less, the spring 18 pulls the arm 14 a greater distance inwardly so that the cylinder 22 rides a greater amount upon the curved portion 23 and a greater surface area of the cylinder is engaged. Thence, the pulling force necessary to pull the strip paper from the roll remains substantially constant regardless of the size of the roll of paper. Therefore, a person using paper from the dispenser iinds that the force necessary to pull the paper is always the same, and the person will not have a tendency to pull more paper from the roll when the roll is light in weight, asoccurs in the use of conventional types of paper dispensers.

A cover member 2d is pivotally attached at the upper portion of the frame lil by means of hinges 26. The cover member 24 has an arcuate portion 25 joining a top portion 27 and a front portion 29 and is provided with a pair of side portions 3l.

Supported upon the frame lil by means of a bracket 28, above the horizontal portion l2, is an arcuate guide wall 3@ terminating in a serrated edge portion 33 over which paper 34 passes as it leaves the roll upon which it is wound, as best shown in Figure 2. The arcuate guide wall Sil extends longitudinally substantially the length of the frame lil so that it is slightly longer than the width of the paper 34.

The cover member 24 is adapted to be raised upwardly as shown in Figure 2 when it is desired to place a new roll of paper within the frame itl. One of the arms i4 is pivoted outwardly and the roll is moved longitudinally into theframe lil under the arcuate guide wall during the process of inserting a roll of paper into the dispenser.

Attached to one of the side portions 3l. within the cover member 24 is a support bracket 36. A pin 3S pivotally supports an arm 49 having an end 41 normal thereto. A paper feed tinge-r 42 is pivotally attached to the end 4l of the arm 4%. The paper feed nger 42 is spring biased by means of a spring 43 so that the paper feed inger 42 tends to rotate in a clockwise direction and thus tends to engage the paper 34- carried upon the arcuate guide wall 30. Rotatably mounted upon the arm 4d adjacent the pin 3S is a roller 44. Also attached to the arm 4b* adjacent the-pin 33 is a release bracket 46 provided with an abutment portion 48. A spring member 49 is attached to the arm 4u and to the support bracket and thus biases the arm 4).

Pivotally attached to the front portion 29 of the cover member 24 by means of a pin Sil is a push plate or lever 52 provided with a wing 53 normally disposed at each end thereof. Also pivotally attached to the front portion 29 of the cover member 24 by means of the pin 5d is a paper guide plate 54, provided with a serrated edge 55 at the lower portion thereof. The serrations of the serrated edge 55 are formed so as to be in alignment with the serrations of the serrated portion 33 extending from the arcuate guide wall 30. Biasing the paper guide plate 54 from the push plate 52 is a helical compression spring 56 which is attached to the guide plate 54 and to the push plate 52. Attached to the inner portion of the push plate 52 and extending normal thereto is a limit bar 58. The limit bar 58 is provided with a leg 64 integral therewith which is adapted to rest upon a projection 66 of the support bracket 36 and thus limit the outward movement of the push lever 52 to a vertical position, as shown in Figure 4. A stop 68 is attached to the inner wall of the cover member 24 adjacent the bracket 36 and serves as a rest for the arm 4t).

Pivotally attached to the inward portion of the push plate 52 by means of a lug 70 is an actuator rod 72. The actuator rod 72 is provided at the end thereof With an arcuate portion 74 and a straight portion 76, the portions being substantially normal one to the other. A helical spring 78 is attached to the front portion 29 of the cover member 24 by means of a rigid hook connector 77. The other end of the helical spring 73 is attached to the actuator rod 72 by means of a lug 80. At the lower end of the push plate or lever 52 is mounted a bracket 82 which supports a serrated cutter bar 84.

The normal position of the elements within the frame 10 is shown in Figure 4. The paper 34 extending from the roll is positioned over the arcuate guide wall 30 and extends downwardly between the arcuate guide wall 30 and the paper guide plate 54. The strip of paper 34 extends a predetermined distance below the horizontal portion 12 of the frame 10. When it is desired to obtain a length of paper from the dispenser the portion of the strip of paper which extends below the dispenser may be grasped by means of a persons lingers as disclosed in Figure 4. The user then pulls the paper downwardly until he has a length of paper desired extending below the dispenser. The user then pushes inwardly upon the push plate or lever 52. Inward movement of the push plate or lever 52 causes the strip of paper to be engaged between the lower portion of the arcuate guide wall 30 and the paper guide plate 54 as shown in Figure 5. Further inward movement of the push plate or lever 52 moves the serrated cutting bar 84 through the strip of paper, severing the strip of paper with the cooperation of the serrated portion 33 at the lower end of the arcuate guide wall 30 and the serrated edge 55 of the paper guide plate 54, as shown in Figure 6.

While the push plate or lever 52 is being pushed inwardly, the actuator rod 72 is being moved inwardly. The helical spring 78 causes the end of the actuator rod 72 to tilt and to move upwardly, as shown in Figure 5. When the push plate has been moved to its maximum inward position, the arcuate portion 74 engages the roller 44 which is supported upon the arm 4t). The arcuate portion 74 is firmly retained against the roller 44 by means of the spring 78 which tends to pull the actuator rod upwardly and outwardly, as shown in Figure 6. Therefore, as the manual pressure exerted upon the push plate or lever 52 is released after the paper has been cut, the helical spring 78 with the cooperation of the spring 56 causes the actuator rod 72 and the push plate 52 to be moved in the return direction toward normal position. The spring 78 also pulls upwardly upon the end of the actuator rod 72 firmly retaining the arcuate portion 74 against the roller 44. Therefore, as the actuator rod 72 is moved backward toward normal position the arm 40 is caused to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. During this counterclockwise movement of the arm 40, the paper finger 42 bears only slightly against the paper 34 so that the paper 34 upon the arcuate guide wall 3i) is not pulled in a backward direction. The arm 40 moves in a counterclockwise direction until it reaches a position as shown in Figure 7. Upon reaching this position the abutment portion 48 of the release bracket 46 engages the straight portion 76 of the actuator rod 72 as clearly shown in Figure 7. The abutment .portion 48 of the release bracket 46, therefore, exerts pressure against the straight portion 76 of the actuator rod 72 so that the end of the actuator rod 72 is pushed downwardly and is disengaged from the roller 44, thus allowing the spring 49 to pull the arm 40 rotatively in a clockwise direction. As the arm 40 moves in its return stroke in a clockwise direction, the paper feed finger 42 engages the paper 34 upon the arcuate guide wall 30 moving the paper 34 downwardly, extending a portion of the strip of paper from the dispenser. It may be understood that upon each operation of the arm 40 the return stroke thereof causes a predetermined length of paper to be extended from the dispenser.

A comparatively short length of paper, only enough to be conveniently grasped by `a persons lingers, is all that is necessary to normally extend below the dispenser.

Therefore, whenever a persondesires to use somevpaper from the dispenser this short predetermined length of paper extends below the dispenser for him to grasp and he may pull any desired length below the dispenser before he cuts the paper.

It will `be understood that the paper is cut by the inward stroke of the push plate or lever 52 and with the inward stroke of the push plate or lever 52, the yarm v40 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to a position from which it will resiliently return to normal position while extending a'predetermined length of paper from the dispenser upon the release of the push plate or lever 52. Upon the return stroke of the arm 40 the arm comes to rest againstthe stop 68 which is preferably made of rubber or like material,. so that the complete operation of the dispenser is accomplished very quietly. The relationship of the spring 49 with respect to the spring 78, including the angular relationship ofA each, is such that upon release of the push plate 52 the spring 78 will carry 'the arm 40 in counter-clockwise rotation against the tension exerted by the spring 49 and, after the abutment portion 48 of the release'bracket 46 has pushed the straight portion 76 so that the actuator arm 72 is disengaged from the roller 44, the spring 49 returns the arm 40 to its normal position moving paper downwardly from the dispenser.

Thus it may be understood that the operation of the dispenser of this invention allows any desired amount of strip material to be dispensed. In any single operation ,of the dispenser a desired length of strip -material may be-quickly and easily cut and a new predetermined amount of strip material is extended below the dispenser ready to be grasped in order to obtain the next desired length of strip material;

Although the preferred embodiment of the process has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, proportion and ingredients and the combination thereof, which generally stated consist in a method and a compound capable of'carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a paper dispenser comprising a frame, a frame cover pivotally attached to the frame, a paper support movably attached to the frame, an arcuate paper guide supported by the frame andl partially encircling the paper support, a push platepivotally attached to the frame cover, a paper feed arm rotatably attached to the frame cover, a paper feed" finger pivotally attached to the paper feed .arm adjacent the end thereof, a spring engaging the paper feed finger and the paper feed arm biasing the paper feed finger, an elongate actuator rod pivotally attached to the pushplate'- and having an end provided with two portions substantially normal one to the other, a roller rotatably supported upon the paper feed arm at the end thereof opposite -thev paper feed finger, resilient means attached to the paper feed arm adjacent the roller and also attached to the frame cover, a paperguide and a paper cutter attached to the frame cover, and a release bracket Vattached to the paper feed arm adjacent the roller and adapted to engagel oneV of the portions at the end ofthe actuator rod.

2. In a paper dispenser of the type containing a roll of paper from which paper is dispensed, comprising a housing, means attached to the housing forv supporting a roll of paper, a housing cover provided with side walls and pivotally attached to the housing at the upper portion thereof, an arm pivotally attached to one of the side walls, the arm having a normally extending end portion, a iinger attached to the end portion, a roller attached to the arm adjacent the end opposite the extending portion, a push plate pivotally attached to the housing cover, an actuator rod having an angular end portion adapted to engage the roller, a release bracket attached to the arm adjacent the roller, a spring attached toithe actuator rod and to the housing cover, a spring attached to the' arm and to the side Wall of the housing, a stationaryv cutter attached to the housing, and a movable cutter attached to the push plate. t' l' l 3. In a paper dispenser of the type supporting andenclosing a roll of paper comprising a housing, a cover pivotally attached to the housing, an arcuate paper guide wall attached to the housing, a pair of pivotally attached paper roll holders supported by the housing and disposed within the arcuate paper guide wall, a paper feed arm pivotally attached to the cover, a finger attached to the paper feed arm adjacent one end thereof,`a roller supported by the paper feed yarm adjacent the other end thereof, a release bracket attached to the paper 'feed arm adjacent the roller, a push plate pivotally supported by the cover, an actuator attached to the push plate and provided with an end portion having an arcuate section and a straight section, the arcuate section being adapted to engage the roller to rotate the paper-feed arm, resilient means joining the actuator to the cover, resilient means joining the paper feed arm and the housing, a paper cut ter attached to the arcuate guide wall, and a complementary paper cutter attached to the push plate.

4. In a paper dispenser for strip'paper material ofthe type wound in a roll comprising a housing provided with a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, a pair of paper support arms pivotallyr attached to the horizontal portion and extending upwardly therefrom, an arcuate guide wall terminating in a serrated edge attached to thefhorizontal portion and extending upwardly therefrom, the yarcuate guide Wall being positioned intermediate the paper support arms, a housing cover pivotally attached to the vertical portion of the housing, the housing cover being provided with a horizontal upper portion and a vertical front portion and having a pair of side portions, a lever member pivotally attached to the vertical front portion ofthe housing cover and extending the' length thereof, a paper guide plate also pivotally attached to the vertical front portion of the housing cover, a pin attached to one of the side portions of thehousing cover substantially concentric with the arcuate guide wall of the housing and adjacent thereto, a paper feed arm pivotally attached to the pin, a paper feed nger pivotally attachedr to the paper feed arm adjacent the end thereof, a spring attached to the paper feednger biasing the finger toward the arcuate guide Wall, a stop member attached to the housing cover providing a rest for the paper feed arm, a release bracket attached to the paper feed arm, a roller rotatably attached to the paper feed arm adjacent the release bracket, an actuator rod pivotally attached to the lever member, the actuator rod being provided with an arcuate portion and a straight portion at the end thereof, a spring attached to the paper feed armadjacent the roller and attached to said side portion of the housing cover, a spring member attached to the actuator rod and to the vertical front portion of Ithe housing cover, and a serrated cutting bar attached to the lever member and cooperable with the paper guide and the serrated edge of the arcuate guide wall to sever the paper.

5. In a paper dispenser for strip material of the vtype wound in a roll, the combination comprising a housing provided with a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, a pair of paper support arms pivotally attached to the horizontal portion and extending upwardly therefrom, an arcuate guide wall attached to the horizontal portion and extending upwardly therefrom, a housing cover pivotally attached to the vertical portion of the housing, the housing cover having a pair of side portions, a lever member movably attached to the housing cover, a paper guide plate resiliently biased from the lever member, a paper feed arm pivotally attached to one of the side portions of the housing cover, a release bracket attached to the paper feed arm, a roller rotatably attached to the paper feed arm adjacent the release bracket, an actuator rod pivotally attached to the. lever member, resilient means-attachedito the paper feed arm adjacent-the roller an'clattached to a side portion of the housing cover, resilient means attached to the actuator rod and to the housing cover, and a serrated cutting bar attached to the lever member.

t 6. In` a paper dispenser of the typey supportingl and enclosing a roll of paper wound upon a cylinder, the combination comprising ahousing, a cover pivotally` attached to the housing, an arcuate paper guide wall attached to the housing, a pair of pivotally attached paper holder arms supported by the housing and disposed within the arcuate paper guide wall, a stem attached to each paper holder arm and adapted to engage a cylinder upon which paper is wound, a paper feedy arm pivotally attached to the cover andengageable with the guidewall for movement of paper supported by the guide wall, the paper feed arm having a normal position and an operating position, aroller supported by :the paper feed arm adjacent' the other end thereof, a release bracket attached to the paper feed arm adjacent the roller, a push plate pivotally supported by the cover, an actuating rod attached to' the push plate and having a portion adapted to engage the roller to actuate the paper feed arm, means; biasing the actuator arm toward the feed arm, means urging the paper feed arm to its normal position, and means urging the push plate in a direction to cause the actuating arnrto move the feed arm to its operating position.

7. In a paper dispenser comprising a frame, a cover attached to the frame, means supportedby the frame for supporting a roll of paper, guide Wall meansattached to the frame adjacent the rst said means for supporting paper extending from the roll, pivotally mounted paper feed means supported by the cover and engageable with paper supported by the guide wall means, an actuator plate attached to the cover andmovable toward and away from the paper feed means,v the paper feed means being movable toward and away from the actuator plate, actuator means attached to the actuator plate and having arcuate means engageable with the paper feed means for movement thereof, spring means attached to the' actuator means for urging movement of the paper feed means in a direction away from the actuator plate, and spring means attached to the paper feed means for urging movement thereof toward the actuator plate.

'8. In a mechanism for dispensing strip materiall comprising a housing, a cover member cooperating with the housing, means supported by the housing for supporting a supply of strip material, a guide wall, the guide wall supportingT strip material extending from the supply thereof, pivotally mounted strip material feed means supported by the housing and movable between a normal position and an operating position, the strip material feed means being engageable with strip material supported by the guide wall, the strip material feed means engaging the strip material supported by the guide wall moving the strip material from the supply thereof upon movement of the feed means from its operating position to its normal position7 an actuator plate movably attached to the cover member, actuator means attached to the actuator plate for movement thereby and engageable with the stripmaterial feed means for movement of the feed means to its operating position, resilient means attached to the actuator plate for causing the actuator means to move thev strip material feed means' from its normal position tofits operating position, and resilient means attached-to the strip materialfeed means urging movement of the strip material feed means from its operaing position to its normal position.

9. In a mechanism for dispensing strip materialy comprising a housing,v a cover member cooperating with the housing, means supported by the housing for supporting a supply of strip material, a guide wall, the guide Wall supportingv strip material extending from the supply thereof, pivotally mounted strip material feed means supported by the housing and movable betweena normal position and an operating position, the strip material feed means being engageable with strip material supported by the guide wall, the strip material feed means engaging the stripmaterial supported by the guide wall moving the strip material from the supply thereof upon movement of the feed means from its. operating position to its normal position, an actuator plate pivotally. attached to the cover member and mova'ble toward and away from the feed means,- actuator means attached to the actuator plate for movement thereby, the actuator means engaging the feed means during movement of the actuator plate toward the feed means, resilient means attached to the actuator plate urging movement of the actuator plate away from thefeed means to move the feed means from its normal position to its operating position, and resilient means attached to the feed means urging movement thereof from its operating` position to its normal position.

10. ln a dispenser of the type used for dispensing a strip of material comprising a housing, means carried by the housing for supporting a supply of strip material, a cover cooperating with the housingV for enclosing said supply of strip material, strip material feed means, said feed means having an operating movement from an operating position to a normal position, the feed means also having a reverse movement, the operating movement of the strip material feed means engaging the strip material moving a predetermined length of strip material from the supply thereof, actuator means carried kby the cover and movable toward and away from the feed means, the actuator means having means for firmly engaging the feed means upon movement of the actuator means toward the feed means, resilient means attached to the feed means urging operating movement thereof from its operating position to its normal position, resilient means attached to the actuator means for causing the actuator means to move the feed meansin a reverse movement from its normal position to its operating position.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wenneck Dec. 23, 1952

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