US3416744A - Tissue roll dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17,1968 R; B, MOT-r, 5R, ET AL 3,416,744

TISSUE ROLL DISPENSER Filed June 30, 1966 3 Sheets-SheetA 1 ff W 5 /29 f i? f3 x4 y -Jz .25 J0 "34 33 d2 ifa 25 .'34 76 75 tis 46 32 27 A/ ajo eac Mo, Jf Ha/7 .560:6 Moff, c/. 3/ A INVENTORS BY Magda wel A TT 0R NE YS Dec. 17, 1968 R, E, MOTT, 5R,` ET Al. 3,416,744

TISSUE ROLL DISPENSER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 30, 1966 A /fa/ eac Maff, Jr.

Fao .56066 Maff, c/f-t INVENTOR.:

ATTORNE Ys Dec. 17, 1968 R, B, M01-T, 5R, ET AL TISSUE ROLL msrnssa 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 30, 1966 ld im INVENTORJ BY #angela f nauwe ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,416,744 TISSUE ROLL DISPENSER Ralph Beach Mott, Sr., and Ralph Beach Mott, Jr., both of P U. Box 66069, Houston, Tex. 77006 Filed lune 30, 1966, Ser. No. 561,995 9 Cairns. (ci. 242ss.3)

ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A tissue roll dispenser adapted to prevent misuse and mishandling of the dispenser and tissue rolls therein. The dispenser includes a frame for receiving a plurality of tissue rolls mounted on spindle means therein, means retaining the lowermost tissue roll in a dispensing position, means for actuating the retaining means when the lowermost tissue roll is depleted to remove the spindle means from the dispensing position, and means to prevent movement of the actuating means until the lowermost tissue roll is exhausted.

Some present tissue roll dispensers present problems because such dispensers do not have adequate facilities or means for preventing a tissue roll in use from being removed from the dispenser or from being removed from the area of use in the dispenser even though such tissue rolls have adequate tissue remaining thereon for further USS.

Another problem with present tissue roll dispensers is that maintenance personnel are required to periodically inspect the inside of the dispensers to insure that adequate, available tissue rolls are in the dispenser for use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tissue roll dispenser.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tissue roll dispenser providing a means to prevent removal of a tissue roll presently in use until such roll has `been adequately exhausted.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tissue roll dispenser including means to enable maintenance personnel to determine if said dispenser is empty of tissue rolls without having to open the dispenser.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tissue roll dispenser having a means to prevent the tissue roll in use from unnecessarily spinning or turning to thereby prevent waste of such tissue roll.

The preferred embodiment of this invention will be described hereinafter together with other features thereof, and additional objects will become evident from such description.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIG. l is a front view of one form of a tissue roll dispenser of the present invention in the opening illustrating the front panel of the dispenser having an opening for receiving a tissue roll;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. l illustrating a means for indicating that the form of the tissue roll dispenser illustrated by the drawings has only one full tissue roll remaining therein and available for use;

FIG. 3 is a side View, partly in section, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. l illustrating a plurality of tissue rolls mounted on spindle means with each of the ends of the spindle means positioned in a channel formed in a side panel of the dispenser;

FIG. 3A is a partly sectional view of one form of a tissue dispenser of the present invention illustrating a Patented Dec. 17, 1968 ICC means with a locking portion of the frame wherein said lmeans is in an initial position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating actuation of the means adjacent the front panel of the frame of the dispenser for removal of a spindle means from an area of use to enable an upper tissue roll and spindle means to be moved into the use area;

FIG. 4A is a view similar to FIG. 3A illustrating the relationship of the means with the locking portion of the dispenser and the means adjacent the front panel of the dispenser when the means adjacent the front panel has been actuated for removal of a lowermost spindle from the use area for tissue rolls;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrating another spindle means with a tissue roll positioned thereon available for use in an opening in the front panel of the dispenser;

FIG. 5A is a view similar to FIGS. 3A and 4A illustrating the relationship of the means with the locking portion of the dispenser and the means adjacent the front panel of the frame of the dispenser when the last tissue roll in the tissue dispenser is in the use area;

FIG. 6 is a view, partly in section, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1 illustrating a means for preventing the tissue roll positioned in the opening in the front portion of the frame of the dispenser from spinning or turning;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 further illustrating the means for preventing the tissue roll from spinning or turning; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a movable member adapted to be mounted with the side panels.

Attention is directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the tissue roll dispenser of the present invention is generally designated at 10 and is illustrated as having a frame generally designated at 15 including a front portion or panel 16 having an opening 17 for receiving a layered tissue roll 2t). The front portion or panel 16 of the frame 15 is defined by an upper portion 16a, a lower edge 16b, and sides 16e and 16d, respectively. The opening 17 is positioned between the upper portion 16a and the edge 16b of the panel 16 and is illustrated as being adapted to receive a roll of tissue 20, as previously mentioned.

It is to be understood that the tissue dispenser 10 is adapted to be positioned in an opening or recess in a wall and that the front panel 16 is adapted to extend outwardly from the opening in the wall to enable the front portion 16 to be positioned parallel to such Wall. A keyhole 21 is provided in the upper portion 16a of the front panel 16 for enabling maintenance personnel and the like to remove the tissue dispenser 10 from the wall opening when the dispenser 10 is empty and needs refilling with tissue rolls. However, it should be noted that the frame 15 may be encased in a suitable container for securing to a wall if desired.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, the frame 15 also includes first and second side panels 24 and 25, respectively, which are iixedly secured to and extend rearwardly from the back surface 16e `of the panel 16 adjacent the sides 16C and 16d of the panel 16. Each of the side panels 24 and 25 includes upper and lower portions 26 and 27 and a front or forward portion and back edge 28 and 29, respectively.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the side panel or second side panel 25, which is similar to first side panel 24, is provided with a continuous longitudinal channel 30 which communicates with the space between said first and secand 27 and a front or forward portion and back edge 28 The channel 30 begins adjacent the corner of the side panel 2.5 formed by the intersection of the back edge 29 and upper portion 26 of said panel and extends downwardly parallel to the front panel 16 until substantially the center of panel 25, and then curves inwardly toward the opening 17 in the front panel 16 to a point generally designated at 35. The channel 30 then curves away from the opening 17 to extend downwardly and outwardly to terminate at the corner of the side panel 25 formed by the intersection of the lower portion 27 and the back edge 29. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the channel 30 is defined by a pair of lips or anged edges 31 and 32 and ribs 33 and 34.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 7, each of the panels 24 and 2'5 is adapted to be mounted with or receive first and second movable members 40 and 41 positioned adjacent the back surface 16e and which are adapted to extend longitudinally from the upper portion 26 to the lower portion 27 of the side panels 24 and 25, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the movable members 4t) and 41 is provided with guide slots 42 and 43 which are adapted to receive screws or bolts 44 for securing the movable members 40 and 41 to each of the side panels. Each of the members 40 and 41, respectively, is spaced from the side panels 24 and 25 by a pair of side ribs 45 and 46. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the member 41 is received within the side panel 25 by a plurality of guide member ribs 47 and 48 and a portion of the lower surface 25a and back surface 16e.

It should be noted that each of the ribs 45 and 46 of the movable members 40 and 41 extends longitudinally relative to the members 40 and 41 to a point adjacent and below the guide slot 42 and that each of the ribs is thereafter reduced in size adjacent the point 35 in the channel 30 so that the channel 30 adjacent the point 35 will remain open and uncluttered. Each of the movable members 40 and 41 is also provided with a rib extension 45a which includes a releasable lock curved end 45b. Thereafter and continuing longitudinally down the movable members 40 and 41, the ribs 46 and 45 are machined on the bars 40 and 41 to space said bars from each of the side panels 24 and 25, respectively.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A, a plate 49 is positioned immediately adjacent the back surface 16e of the front panel 16 and extends between the spaced parallel side panels 24 and 25 and is mounted with or secured to each of the movable members 40 and 41 by slot guides 50 and 51. The slot guides 50 and 51 extend outwardly from the rib 45 of each of the movable bars 40 and 41, respectively, to be received within slot guide openings 50a and 51a which are formed in the plate 49. Each of the movable members 40= and 41, respectively, is provided with a spring pin 54 adjacent the slot 42 and each of the side panels 24 and 25 is provided with a spring pin 55 adjacent the upper portion 26 of each of the panels. Mounted therebetween and connected to each of the spring pins 54 and 55 is a means for continuously urging or spring means 56 which continuously urges the movable members 40 and 41 upwardly. It should be noted that since the plate 49 is connected to each of the movable members 40 and 41 by the guides 50 and 51, the plate 49 is also urged continuously upwardly. It should also be noted that the plate 49 includes a lever, bar, or actuating means 57 which extends outwardly from the opening 17 adjacent the upper portion 17a of the opening 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the movable members 40 and 41 includes a spacer plate 58 for insuring that the members 40 and 41 will remain spaced from each of the rst and second side panels 24 and 25, respectively. Secured with each of the movable members 40 and 41 is a spindle edge retainer or projecting means 60 which projects into said channels formed in said rst and second side panels 24 and 25, respectively. Each of the projecting means 60 includes a corner 61 and an edge 62 which is adapted to be substantially parallel to the lip 31. The projection means 60 is further defined by an outwardly extending portion 63 which is illustrated as extending substantially into the channel 30. The projecting means 60, during movement of the bar 41, is moved downwardly to be positioned adjacent the ribs 33 and a transverse rib 76 of the panel 25.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, each of the channels 30 is provided with initial spindle openings 71 and 72 for receiving a plurality of spindle means or spindle shafts generally designated at 75 each of which includes heads or edges 76 and channel guide 75a (FIG. 7). The channel guides 75a are adapted to be received and guided by the lips 31 and 32 adjacent the channel 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, a spindle means 75 with toilet tissue positioned therearound is adapted to be positioned in the space between the two parallel side panels 24 and 25 by inserting each of the edges or heads 75 of the spindle means into the initial opening 71 so that the spindle means and tissue roll adjacent the lowermost tissue roll is positioned thereabove by the engagement of the portion 63 of the projecting means 60 with the channel guide 75a. It should be noted that the heads 76 of the spindle means 7S insures that the means 75 will be retained in the channel 30.

An edge means 80 is mounted with a retainer pin 81 and is positioned adjacent the point 35 in the channel 30 and adjacent the opening 17 in the front panel 16. The edge I means is illustrated as being complementally shaped with the arcuate portion of the rib 33 and then is provided with a depending arm Sila. It should be noted that in the position as illustrated in FIG. 3 the dependent arm 80a is held in a rigid position spaced from the back surface 16e of the front panel 16 by the releasable lock curve end 45b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, there is also provided a tab member 82 which is secured at one end with the pin 81 and which is adapted to be substantially parallel to the adjacent end of the edge means 80. The tab member 82 is also provided with a depending arm 82a which is substantially parallel to the depending arm 80a ofthe edge means 80 and is illustrated as being positioned adjacent the lip 31. If it is desired to position a lowermost tissue roll, such as illustrated at 20, adjacent and within the opening 17 for use of such tissue roll, the spindle means generally designated at 75 may be inserted in the initial opening 72 wherein the channel guides 75a of the spindle means 75 will be guided down the curved portion or lips 31 and 32 to contact the depending arm 82a of the tab member 82. At this point, the arm 82a will pivotally raise upwardly to enable the edges 76 to proceed in their passage along the lip 32 of the channel 30 until such edges 76 engage the edge means 80. Since the edge means 80 is rigidly held in place and extends outwardly into the channel 30, the spindle means 75, and tissue roll 20 are thereby retained in position adjacent the opening 17 in the front panel 16.

A trip bar 85 as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 8 is secured with the movable member 41 below the guide slot 42 and is in substantial longitudinal alignment therewith. The trip bar 85 includes a support plate 85a and a tripping plunger 85b which is illustrated as extending outwardly transverse to the surface 41a of Ythe movable bar 41 and parallel to the ribs 45 and 46.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the movable member 41 is positioned with `or secured to the side panel 25 by insertion of the screws or bolts 44 through the guide slots 42 and into screw holes such as illustrated in FIG. 7 at 90. The trip bar 85 is positioned adjacent the lever 57 which is secured with the plate 49. Pin openings 91 and 92 are provided in the rib 47 and the back surface 16e of the front panel 16, respectively, for receiving a rotatable trip plate pin 93. A trip plate or detection member 94 circumferentially envelopes the pin 93 and depends therefrom. The detection member 94 is positioned adjacent the lowermost tissue roll 20 and above the spindle edges 76 and spindle means 75 positioned in the lowermost tissue roll in the opening 17 It should be noted that the side panel 25 is provided with an opening (not shown) for enabling the member 94 to extend outwardly into the space between the parallel side panels 24 and 25. A sensing adjustment 98 is illustrated as being mounted with the trip plate 94 and is illustrated as being inthe form of a screw or bolt.

A pressure pad 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is secured with the first side panel 24 by means of a pin 101 which is adapted to be secured with the back surface 16e of the front panel 16 and the rib 47. The side panel 24 is provided with an opening 102 for enabling the pressure pad 100 to extend outwardly into the space between the first and second side panels 24 and 25. The pressure pad 100 includes an upper end 100a which circumferentially envelopes the pin 101 and a lower end which includes a retainer tip 100b adapted to engage a portion of the side panel 24 immediately adjacent the tip 100b as illustrated in FIG. 7. A continuous urging means or spring 104 is adapted to pe positioned on one end thereof in a spring seat 105 with the pressure pad 100 and is illustrated as extending toward the movable bar 40 to engage the inner surface 40a of the bar 40, When the bar 40 is moved downwardly or upwardly in a manner to be brought out fully hereinafter, the spring means 104 remains stationary in the seat 105 to thereby slide or glide along the inner surface 40a of the movable bar 40. The spring 104 continuously urges the pressure pad 100 outwardly so that the outer pressure pad surface 100C will continuously engage and contact the lowermost tissue roll positioned in the opening 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a lock 110 is mounted with and surrounds the key hole 21 in the usual manner. The lock 110 is positioned in the upper portion 16a and on the back surface 16e of the front panel 16 of the frame 15. The lock 110 includes a spring mounted plunger 111 which enables the dispenser to be locked into the wall as previously mentioned. The plunger 111 also includes a responsive plunger 112 which responds to the actuation of the plunger 111 such that when a key or the like is inserted in the keyhole 21 and the plunger 111 is actuated in the usual manner and forced downwardly by the key until the upper surface of the plunger 111 is parallel and even with the upper surface 110a of the lock 110, the plunger 112 will extend outwardly from the bottom surface 110b of the lock as illustrated by the dotted lines.

A rotatable plate 115 is secured to the back surface 16e of the front portion 16 of the frame 15 by a screw or bolt means 116. The rotatable plate 115 includes a plunger tip 117 adjacent a curved surface 118, a curved surface 119 which is illustrated in FIG. 3 as being immediately adjacent a tab 49a mounted with the plate 49, and an engaging surface 120 positioned below an extension tab 49b mounted with the plate 49.

ln the operation of the invention, tissue rolls 20 and 125 are adapted to be positioned in the tissue roll dispenser 10 by inserting the spindle means 75 mounted with each of said tissue rolls in the usual manner in the initial openings 72 and 71, respectively, so that the channel guides 75a of each of said tissue rolls engage the ribs 31 and 32 of the channels 30 mounted with the first and second side panels 24 and 25, respectively. When the lowermost tissue roll 20, spindle means 75 mounted therewith, and heads 76 of said spindle means 75 are inserted in the initial opening 72, the channel guides 75a slide or glide along the ribs 31 and 32 adjacent the channel 30 until the guides 75a engage the depending arm 82a of the tab member 82, thereby forcing the. depending arm 82a upwardly to enable the spindle means 75 to continue traveling down the channel 30. It should be noted that the depending arm 82a pivots around the pin 81 mounted with each of the side panels 24 and 25, respectively. The guides 75a thereafter engage the edge means 80 and Contact the depending arm 80a thereof to thereby retain in position and lock the tissue roll 20 and spindle means 75. The edge means 80 is prevented from moving by the releasable lock curved end 45b of the rib portion 45a as illustrated in FIG. 3.

As further indicated in FIG. 3, the next adjacent tissue roll 125 is positioned above the lowermost tissue roll 20 by similarly inserting the spindle means 75 mounted on such tissue roll in the initial opening 71 in the channel 30. The guides 75a thereafter engage the portion 463 of projecting means 60 to position the guides in the channel 30 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, when the tissue rolls 20 and 125 are positioned in the tissue dispenser 10, the rotatable .plate 115 is positioned to enable a key (not shown) to be inserted into the keyhole 21 to thereby move the plunger 111 downwardly which causes the plunger 112 to Irnove downwardly. As illustrated by the dotted lines (FIG. 3), when the plunger 112 moves downwardly, it does not contact the curved surface 118 of the rotatable plate 115. With the rotatable plate 115 in this position, the tab 49a of the plate 49 contacts the curved surface 119 of the r0- tatable plate and prevents the plate 49 from moving upwardly to contact the ribs 127 and 128 which are mounted with the back surface 16e and the front panel 16. It should be noted that in this position the plate 49 is spaced from the ribs 127 and 128 by a distance designated as D.

With the tissue roll 20 in the opening and available for use, separate sheets of such tissue are adapted to be separated from the roll and used as desired. It is well known that as the sheets are used, the lowermost tissue roll 20 decreases in diameter. However, while the tissue roll 20 is in use, the outer surface e` of the pressure pad continuously contacts the side of the lowermost tissue roll to prevent unnecessary turning or spinning of the roll. As illustrates in FIG. 6, the pressure pad 100 is urged continuously outwardly by the spring means 104 which is seated in the spring seat and which is adapted to continuously contact the inner surface 40a of the movable bar 40 even when such bar is being moved or actuated.

Also, if a user or maintenance personnel desires to remove the lowermost tissue roll 20 from the area of use or from the opening 17 while adequate tissue sheets remain thereon, the member 94 will prevent actuation of the plate 49 and the movable bars 40 and 41. Thus, if an individual actuates the lever 57, the plate 49 will move in a downwardly direction relative to the front panel 16. The downward movement of the plate 49 overcomes the upward urging of the spring means 56 to urge the movable bars 40 and 41 downwardly. As the movable bar 41 is moved in a downward direction relative to the second side panel 25, the trip bar 85 mounted therewith will also move downwardly so that the portion 851) of the trip bar will engage the upper portion of the member 94 to cause the bottom portion of the member 94 to rotate or pivot outwardly into the space between the first and second side panels 24 and 25. When the lower portion of the member 94 swings outwardly, the lower portion will engage the side of the unused tissue on the lowermost tissue roll 20 and will prevent any further downward movement of the bar 41. Since the member 41 is connected with the plate 49, this will also prevent any further downward movement of the plate.

However, if the tissues on the lowermost tissue roll 20 are sufficiently exhausted to thereby decrease the diameter of the tissue roll suciently, the lower portion of the member 94 swings outwardly without contacting the tissue roll and movable members 40 and 41 and plate 49 thereby continue their downward motion. As illustrated in FIG. 4, continued downward motion by depressing the lever 57 causes the releasable lock curved end 45b mounted with the bar 41 to move downwardly therepast the depending arm 80a of the edge means 82. This enables the weight of the spindle means 75 to push the edge means upwardly and outwardly to enable the guides 75a of the spindle means to move past the edge means 80. The lowermost spindle means 75 then travels in the di- -rection illustrated by the arrow (FIG. 4) down the remainder of the channel 30 to be retained in an opening 130 in the base 25a of each of the first and second side panels 24 and 25.

When the lowermost spindle means 75 is being re- Amoved from the area of use of the opening 17 to the storage opening 130, the next adjacent tissue roll 125 which is supported in the channel 30 by the portion 63 of the protecting means 60, is lowered parallel to and relative to the front panel 16 by the protecting means 60. Since the :protecting means 60 are mounted with the movable members 40 and 41, the movement of the members downwardly also causes the projection member 60 to be moved downwardly. When guides 75a and head 75 are adjacent a rest opening 135 such as dened by the surface 140 of the lip 32, the guides 75a roll off the upper surface of the portion 63 to engage the surface 140 in the rest opening 135. As will be brought out hereinafter, the lever 57 is prevented from further moving downwardly. At this point, the lowermost spindle means 75 has been removed so that upon release of the lever 57, the plate 49 and movable members 40 and 41 will move upwardly due to the continuous upward urging of the spring means 56 connected with the members 4i) and 41 and the first and second side panels 24 and 25, respectively. When the members 40 and 41 move upwardly, this causes the surface 63a of the portion 63 to engage the guides 75a of the projecting means to prevent the spindle means from falling out into and down the channel 30. It should be noted that the lower portion or tab 64 is provided with a guide 64a (FIG. 4) in the first and second side panels 24 and 25, respectively, for enabling the surface 63a to continuously contact the guide 75a as it is moved thereby. When the surface 63a has been lifted upwardly past the guide 75a of the spindle means 75, the spindle means 75 falls down the channel 30 to be locked and retained in position in the opening 17.

However, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, when the lever 57 is actuated, the extension tab 49b, and the plate 49 are moved downwardly to contact the surface 120 of the rotatable plate 115. The engagement of the tab 49b with the surface 120 causes the plate 115 to rotate in the direction as indicated by the arrow (FIG. 4A). This rotation of the plate 115 causes the tab 117 of the plate to be driven radially upwardly to contact the plunger 112 of the lock 110. While in this position, the lock 110 cannot be opened or manipulated because, as previously mentioned, the plunger 112 is responsive and connected with the plunger 111 and the downward pressure from the extension tab 49b is sufficient to prevent the plunger 111 from being actuated by a key inserted in the lock 21. It should also be noted that while in this position, the next adjacent tissue roll 125 is being held in position by the surface 63a of the portion 63 and against the surface 140 of the rest opening 135 as mentioned hereinabove.

When the extension or tip 49b engages the surface 120 `as illustrated in FIG. 4, the lever 57, plate 49, and the movable members 40 Iand 41 are prevented from further moving downwardly. As 4previously mentioned, when the lever 57 is released, the spring means 56 urges the movable members 40 and 41 and plate 49 upwardly to the position as illustrated in FIGS. and 5A. Since the rotatable plate 115 has been rotated to the position as illustrated in FIG. 4A, upward movement of the plate 49 enables the tab 49a to engage the surface of the rotatable plate 115 adjacent the curved portion 118 and prevents the plate 49 from further moving upwardly. It should be noted that in this position, the plate 49 is spaced a distance E from the ribs 127 and 128 -mounted with the back surface 16e of the panel 16, which `distance is greater than the distance D. It should also be understood that since the plate 49 is prevented from returning to its original position, the movable bars 40 and 41 connected therewith are similarly prevented from abutting the ribs 48 with each of the first and second side panels 24 and 25.

When the surface 63a is moved past the guides 75u of the tissue -roll 125, the tissue roll is thereafter permitted to fall down the opening 30a in the channel 30 to be guided by the lips 31 and 32 with the channel to be thereafter locked and retained in position in the opening 17 by the edge means and tab member 82 as previously mentioned. It should be noted that while the plate 49 is not returned to its original position, the rib or portion b of the trip bar 85 has then moved upwardly a sufficient amount to disengage the detection member 94 so that the member will not extend outwardly into the space between the first and second side panels 24 and 25.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, when the plate 49 is the distance D from the ribs 127 and 128, the tissue dispenser 10 is completely filled with adequate tissue rolls disposed for use therein. The lever 57 is adjacent and covers a visual indication member indicated at 16f (FIG. 2) immediately adjacent and above the opening 17. However, when the lowermost tissue roll has been exhaused and `disposed and removed and the next adjacent of said tissue Irolls 125 has been positioned in the opening 17, the plate 49 is prevented from returning to its original position as previously mentioned (FIG. 3A). In the position illustrated in FIG. 5, the lever 57 is disposed below the visual indication member 161, thereby indicating that there is only one roll remaining in the tissue dispenser. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the visual indication member 16f adjacent the opening 17 is adapted to receive some type of lettering such as last roll printed thereon -to enable the user or maintenance personnel to determine that tissue roll 125 is the last roll in the dispenser.

Of course, it is to be understood that if it is desired t0 ll the tissue dispenser, all that is required is for the maintenance personnel to insert a key in the key lock or keyhole 21. When this occurs and as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the plunger 111 will be driven downwardly and will thereby cause the plunger 112 to also be driven downwardly. Such downward direction will contact the tip 117 and drive it in a downwardly radial direction to cause the rotatable plate 115 to rotate in the direction of the arrow. This downward radial movement of the tip 117 will enable the surface adjacent the covered surface 118 to move free of the tip or tab 49a, thereby causing the rotating plate 115 to return to its original position as illustrated in FIG. 3A. This, of course, also enables the spring means 56 to urge the movable mmebers 40 and 41 and the plate 49 upwardly so that the members 40 yand 41 will engage the upper rib 48. Thus, when the dispenser is filled, the lever 57 thus returns immediately adjacent and in front of the visual indication member 161 to thereby give an indication that the dispenser 10 has been adequately filled.

It should be understood that while only one movable member 41 and complete side view of one panel 25 has been described in some aspects, the other movable bar 40 and the first side plate 24 are similar in shape and size to their respective counterparts. In the embodiment shown, the detection member 94 is mounted only on member 41. Other arrangements of the detection member may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is to be understood that while the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, other suitable embodiments may be incorporated herein. For example, if desired, the tissue dispenser 10 is adapted to be constructed and machined to enable a plurality of spindle means to be disposed therein. Also, while the lever 57 is indicated as extending outwardly from opening 17, it may be desirable to provide that the lever may be actuated from the top or side of the dispenser.

In other embodiments, the plate 49 may be a slim member relative to the width thereof and the plate 49 and lever 57 may also be adapted to be actuated upwardly, rather than downwardly, as desired.

It should also be understood that without departing from the scope of this invention the detection member 94 and pressure pad 100 may be disposed or positioned together on one side panel 24 or 25 or that either the -member 94 or pad 100 may be positioned with the dispenser either above or below the longitudinal width of the lowermost tissue rolls for performing their respective intended purpose.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser for rolls of tissue comprising:

(a) a frame including a front panel, said front panel having an opening therein;

(b) a first side panel fixedly secured with said front panel;

(c) a second side panel fixedly secured with 'said front panel, said second side panel being spaced from said first side panel wherein the tissue rolls are adapted to be positioned in the space between said panels;

(d) said first panel having a channel therein forming a continuous opening throughout the Vlength of said channel communicating with the space between said panels;

(e) said second panel having a channel therein forming la continuous opening throughout the length of said channel communicating with the space between said panels;

(f) a plurality of spindle means each having ends adapted to be received -in said channels in said first and second panels wherein each of said spindle means is adapted to extend across the space between said first and second panels when one of each of said ends of each of said spindle means is received in said channels, respectively;

(g) each of said spindle means being adapted to circumferentially receive and support a roll of tissue between said ends;

(h) means mounted with said first and second panels for retaining the lowermost of said spindle means with a roll of tissue positioned thereon in and adjacent with said opening in said front panel wherein the tissue may be used as desired;

(i) means for actuating said retaining means when said roll of tissue on said lowermost spindle means is depleted whereby said lowermost spindle means is removed from said opening;

(j) a first movable member secured with said actuating means, said member being adapted to move longitudinally relative to said first panel;

(k) a second movable member secured with said actuating means, said member being adapted to move longitudinally relative to said second panel wherein movement of said actuating means moves said members relative to said first and second panels to thereby release said retaining means so that the lowermost of said spindle means is removed from said opening;

(l) means connected with said first panel for continuously urging said first member upwardly;

(m) means connected with said second panel for continuously urging said second member upwardly; (n) a detection member secured with said second panel,

said detection member being adapted to extend outwardly into the space between the said first and second side panels; and

(o) a trip bar mounted with said second movable member wherein movement of said actuating means overcomes said continuous urging means connected with said first and second members to move said members relative to said first and second side panels, wherein said trip bar moves said detection member outwardly immediately adjacent said lowermost spindle to contact the tissue roll thereon whereby further movement of said actuating means is prevented until the lowermost tissue roll is exhausted and wherein each of said means for continuously urging urges said first and second members and said actuating means to return to their original positions.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said channels formed in said first and second panels is provided with a rest opening adjacent said panels.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 2 including:

(a) a first edge means positioned adjacent said channel formed in said first panel and adjacent the opening in said front panel; and

(b) a second edge means positioned adjacent said channel formed in said second panel and adjacent the opening in said front panel wherein each of said ends ,of said lowermost spindle means received in said channels formed in said first and second panels engages said first -and second edge means, respectively, to prevent removal of said lowermost spindle means from adjacent the opening in said front panel to enable use of the tissue roll on the lowermost of said spindle means. v

4. The structure as set forth in claim 3 including;

(a) a first tab member pivotally mounted on said first side panel, said first tab member being positioned adjacent and behind said first edge means; and

(b) a second tab member pivotally mounted on said second panel, said second tab member being positioned adjacent and behind said second edge means wherein one of each of said ends of the lowermost of said spindle means is locked between said first edge means and said first tab member and said second edge means and said second tab member, respectively.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 4 including:

(a) a rst spindle edge retainer secured with said first movable member extending into said channel formed in said first panel; and

(b) a second spindle edge retainer secured with said second movable member extending into said channel formed in said second panel wherein each of said ends of the next said spindles positioned above said lowermost spindle are retained by eachrof said first and second spindle edge retainers, respectively, above each of said rest openings in each of said channels.

6. The structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said lowermost spindle means is positioned and locked adjacent the opening in the front portion of said frame and wherein the next of said spindle means is positioned thereabove with each of said ends of said next spindle means retained by said first and second spindle edge retainers wherein movement of said actuating means overcomes said means for continuously urging said first and second movable members upwardly to thereupon move said members downwardly thereby simultaneously unlocking said first and second edge means positioned adjacent said channels formed in said first and second panels to release said lowermost spindle means and move it to a position in the space between said panels and wherein movement of said first and second spindle edge retainers downwardly enables each of said ends of said next spindle means to be retained in said rest openings in each of said channels whereby said continuously urging means moves said members upwardly to release each of said ends of said next spindle means from said spindle edge retainers to enable each of said ends of said next spindle to follow the arcuate path of each of said channels to thereby position and lock said next spindle adjacent the opening in said front panel to permit use of tissue rolls positioned thereon.

7. The structure as set forth in claim 1 including:

(a) a lock mounted in said front panel, said lock being positioned adjacent said actuating means; and

(b) a rotatable plate mounted with said front panel, said plate being separated from said lock when there is more than one of said spindle means with tissue rolls thereon in the dispenser wherein movement of said actuating means to remove said lowermost spindle from the opening in said front panel causes said last named means to contact siad plate thereby rotating said plate wherein said plate contacts said lock to prevent said actuating means from returning to its original position thereby giving a visual indication that only one of said spindles with tissue roll thereon remains in the dispenser.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 1 including:

(a) a lock mounted in said front panel adjacent said actuating means;

(b) a plunger extending through said lock wherein depression of said plunger relative to said lock forces said plunger to move downwardly from said lock;

(c) a rotatable plate mounted with said panel adjacent said lock, said rotatable plate including a plunger tip portion positioned adjacent said plunger when the rolls of tissue on each of said spindle means are full wherein depletion of the tissue on said lowermost spindle means and actuation of said actuation means causes rotation of said rotatable plate to prevent said actuation means from returning to its original position and causes said plunger tip to contact said plunger.

9. The structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

(a) said actuating means includes an extension tab and an upstanding tab .adjacent said rotatable plate; and

(b) said rotatable plate includes:

(l) a lip surface adjacent said extension tab; and

(2) a notched surface area for receiving said upstanding tab when the rolls on said spindle means are full where in depletion of the tissue roll on said lowermost spindle means and actuation of said actuation means causes said extension tab to contact said lip surface to rotate said rotatable plate to thereby cause said notched surface y to rotate away from said upstanding tap to prevent said actuating means from returning to its original position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS GEORGE F. MAUTZ, Primary Examiner.

Images