Pull angle dependant resistive paper towel holder

Abstract

A paper towel holder is provided having a pad made of foam, rubber or the like for impeding (or resisting) the rotation of a paper towel roll with respect to a user initiated unfurling pull angle. The user pulls upward (i.e., in a direction proximal to the base) to unfurl the paper towel roll with a minimum level of resistance. The user pulls downward (i.e., in a direction distal to the base) to create resistance against the paper towel roll such that the rotation of the roll is slowed or halted to provide a user initiated perfect tear.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 799,824 which was filed on May 11, 2006.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to the field of paper towel holders and, more particularly, to a paper towel holder / dispenser configured to resist the rotation of a paper towel roll with respect to an unfurling pull angle to provide a user initiated and substantially perfect tear. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Conventional paper towel holders that are intended for use in the home or office are designed to offer a “perfect tear” feature. Such a perfect tear feature is referred to in the house-ware industry as an effortless pull of a single square from a roll of paper towels along a perforated line provided for separation of individual paper sheet of the roll. Many conventional paper towel holder designs comprise complicat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] When the user pulls upward on the loose end of the paper towel roll, i.e., in a direction distal to the base of the paper towel holder, the paper towel roll is pulled slightly upward (i.e., away from the base), thereby reducing the frictional force and allowing the paper towel roll to rotate more freely. The contemplated paper towel holder advantageously provides the desired perfect tear, irrespective of the amount of paper towels on the roll. Here, the inexpensive addition of a pad possessing the appropriate frictional coefficients for the material adds significantly to the user experience, i.e., the addition of the pad provides both an aesthetic and functional improvement of a paper towel holder by virtue of the optimal use of materials.

[0012] Conventional vertical paper towel holders often include a bar or plastic guide that is designed to keep the loose end of the paper towel roll within the perimeter of the base. However, such a bar adds clutter to the paper towel holder, and is often perceived as an eyesore. In accordance with the contemplated embodiments of the invention, however, the pad itself can be used to keep the paper towel roll and the loose end of the paper roll in the last position that was touched by the user to prevent an unwieldy loose end by way of any frictional forces. As a result, the free end of the paper towel roll remains in a position that is easy to grab for the user to grab, i.e., in a position right where the user left the free end of the towel.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the shaft of the paper towel holder is constructed at a slight angle to thereby enhance the tear angle. In this case, a translucent plastic guide (not shown) can be located on the back of the device to guide the user as to where and how the paper towel should be accessed. In addition, the translucent plastic also serves to guide the loose end of the paper towel forward to provide a user with the ability to easily grab the next paper towel.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, the pad is sectioned into multiple pieces. Here, each sectioned portion of the pad is arranged around the shaft of the paper towel holder on the base. Sectioning the pad in this manner advantageously provides a way to reduce manufacturing costs because less material is use to manufacture the pad.

[0015] In another embodiment, the pad is provided on at least the shaft of the paper towel holder. In this case, since the area for providing the frictional force that impedes the rotation of the paper towel roll is located on the shaft itself, the area of the material on the base can be reduced. As a result, it becomes possible to configure the shaft such that it can be mounted in an interior wall of the base itself, where the shaft is configured in a flared inverted “T” shaped arrangement having each end of the inverted “T” engaged and mounted into an interior side wall of the base.

Problems solved by technology

However, such a bar adds clutter to the paper towel holder, and is often perceived as an eyesore.

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