Toilet roll dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A toilet roll dispensing apparatus comprises an interior loading channel extending to an outlet through a face of the apparatus. The channel is configured to retain toilet rolls with their central axes perpendicular to the face, allowing each bottommost roll to be dispensed axially. The outlet may be dimensioned to prevent sideways withdrawal and may be elongate to provide visual access to stacked rolls. In multi - chute embodiments, rolls may travel laterally across a passageway while maintaining axial orientation before being dispensed through a central outlet.

Description

Toilet Roll Dispensing ApparatusField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to dispensing apparatus for rolled sheet material. More particularly, it relates to a toilet roll dispensing apparatus configured to store and dispense multiple toilet rolls in an orderly and predictable manner.Background of the Invention

[0002] Toilet roll dispensing apparatuses are widely used in both domestic and commercial settings. A range of configurations has been developed for storing and dispensing multiple toilet rolls, aiming to improve convenience, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal.

[0003] For example, US 2006 / 0243739 A1 (Sherman et al., 2 November 2006) describes a gravity-fed dispenser designed to hold multiple rolls of bath tissue. The device is constructed from lightweight, inexpensive materials and is intended to be visually appealing, allowing it to be placed in view within the household. Coordinated design elements are provided to match other tissue dispensers.

[0004] US 7191976 B1 (Jensen, 20 March 2007) discloses a cabinet for storing and dispensing multiple rolls of paper, including toilet paper. The cabinet includes a mechanism to organise and visibly present the stored rolls to facilitate user awareness and replacement. The configuration is particularly suited to high-use environments.

[0005] US 7387273 B1 (Wolfson et al., 17 June 2008) teaches a dispenser comprising a roll-retaining tray for holding backup rolls. This ensures that a new roll is readily available when the current roll is depleted. Structural features are incorporated to prevent the rolls from falling out and to maintain an orderly appearance.

[0006] US 2005 / 0156080 A1 (Lugo, 21 July 2005) relates to an internal dispenser and storage unit for multiple toilet rolls. The rolls are housed within a compact enclosure that allows easy access to spare rolls while keeping them hidden from view.

[0007] In US 6302350 B1 (Burrell et al., 16 October 2001), a housing is provided for storing multiple rolls of toilet tissue. A mechanism is disclosed for automaticallypositioning a new roll for use upon depletion of the active roll, with a focus on smooth operation and reducing reload frequency.

[0008] US 3529877 A (Cassidy, 22 September 1970) discloses a cabinet for storing and dispensing reserve toilet tissue rolls. The structure permits easy reloading and ensures an organised storage layout while facilitating ready access to fresh rolls.

[0009] German utility model DE 202018104185 U1 (Sokoli, 25 October 2018) provides a receptacle for spare toilet rolls, designed to protect the rolls from dust and moisture while keeping them visible and accessible. The emphasis is on practical storage in a neat and hygienic format.

[0010] These documents illustrate the diversity of solutions developed for storing and dispensing toilet rolls. Various approaches have been proposed involving gravity feed, visibility of stored rolls, orderly dispensing mechanisms, and aesthetic integration with bathroom interiors.

[0011] The present invention seeks to provide a toilet roll dispensing apparatus which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0012] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.Summary of the Disclosure

[0013] According to one aspect, there is provided a toilet roll dispensing apparatus defining an interior loading channel that extends to an outlet located at a lower end of the channel through a face of the apparatus. The channel is configured to retain a plurality of toilet rolls oriented with their central axes perpendicular to the face, wherein a bottommost toilet roll is dispensed through the outlet along its central axis.

[0014] This configuration enables the toilet rolls to be withdrawn end-on in a direction aligned with their central axes, rather than laterally. By maintaining this axial alignment, the apparatus facilitates predictable and reliable dispensing of toilet rolls in sequence. This arrangement avoids problems commonly encountered with sideways dispensing, such as unintended ejection of the bottommost roll due tofrontward biasing or difficulty retrieving the roll due to rearward biasing — both of which can occur when vertically stacked rolls adopt staggered front-to-back positions. The axial orientation and outlet positioning ensure that the only force required for retrieval is that needed to overcome friction from the rolls stacked above, thereby reducing the likelihood of jamming or misalignment and improving overall dispensing reliability.

[0015] In some embodiments, the outlet is shaped or dimensioned to allow each toilet roll to pass through only when aligned with its central axis. This restriction may prevent retrieval in a sideways orientation, thereby preserving the axial alignment intended by the internal configuration of the channel. Such dimensional control contributes to consistent dispensing behaviour and reduces the likelihood of jamming or misaligned removal.

[0016] The outlet may, in certain embodiments, be ovular or rounded in profile, with a maximum cross-sectional dimension that is less than the known axial length of a toilet roll. By constraining the outlet in this way, removal of the roll in a transverse orientation is effectively precluded, while still allowing smooth end-on withdrawal. In preferred forms, the outlet is elongate in a vertical direction, with the vertical dimension in a plane defined by the face being greater than 1% times the diameter of a standard toilet roll, and optionally more than 11 times that diameter. This vertical extension provides a visual window through which the next roll may be seen, allowing the user to readily determine when replenishment is required — improving usability and encouraging timely refilling.

[0017] The internal loading channel may have a width, in the plane of the face, that is greater than that of the outlet. This not only facilitates loading but also allows the channel to accommodate minor lateral offsets without compromising the function of the outlet. In some arrangements, the channel is wider than the known diameter of the toilet rolls, enabling vertically adjacent rolls to settle in alternating lateral positions. Such staggered nesting can increase the vertical packing density and overall capacity of the apparatus without significantly affecting dispensing performance.

[0018] To assist with alignment during dispensing, a guide may be positioned at the lower end of the channel. This guide may serve to direct the bottommost toilet roll into axial alignment with the outlet. In a practical embodiment, the guide includes opposing front and rear guide portions acting on the respective ends of the roll. This bifurcated structure allows for material efficiency while effectively centralising the roll in the outlet region, particularly as it transitions from stacked storage to retrieval.

[0019] To further regulate dispensing, the outlet may have a bottom edge that is raised relative to a floor of the channel. In this form, the roll must be lifted slightly over the edge for retrieval. This added step introduces a low-threshold retention feature that resists premature ejection of the roll while still allowing straightforward removal by a user when desired. The elevation of the outlet edge contributes to maintaining the roll in position until deliberate action is taken.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a plurality of interior loading channels, each configured to hold a column of toilet rolls. These channels may share a common outlet, simplifying the overall dispensing architecture. In such configurations, the outlet may be centrally positioned with respect to the face and symmetrically located relative to the loading channels. Preferably, the number of channels is uneven, and the outlet aligns with the central channel, offering direct axial dispensing from that column and enabling controlled lateral redirection of rolls from the adjacent columns when necessary.

[0021] To facilitate movement of rolls from lateral channels, the apparatus may define a lateral passageway across which bottommost rolls from the side columns can travel. Despite this lateral redirection, the rolls remain oriented with their central axes perpendicular to the face throughout. This consistency of orientation, even during cross-channel movement, ensures that the rolls can ultimately be dispensed end-on through the outlet without the need for rotational re-alignment.

[0022] In support of manual interaction, a horizontal slot may be formed in the face of the apparatus. This slot is dimensioned such that toilet rolls cannot pass through it, but a user's finger may be inserted to manually reposition a roll across the lateralpassageway. The slot may also function as a visual indicator, allowing users to check whether individual channels are depleted and require refilling.

[0023] To control the position of the rolls during sideways movement, a guide may be incorporated within the lateral passageway. This guide may include a bottom rail having one or more indentations shaped to detain the rolls in position relative to their respective channels. For example, a minor indentation may be located adjacent the outlet, while a major indentation is aligned directly with the outlet. This stepped detainment structure allows a roll to remain stably seated in a holding position until it is manually advanced across the passageway into the outlet zone. In some forms, the guide rail may be bifurcated into front and rear rails, each with corresponding indentations at their interface, cooperating to cradle the roll at both ends during transition and dispensing.

[0024] Together, these features facilitate a hybrid dispensing architecture in which toilet rolls are stored in multiple vertical columns, optionally repositioned laterally within a confined passageway, and ultimately dispensed in an axial orientation. This combination enhances storage capacity, ensures orderly dispensing, and improves reliability by avoiding issues associated with staggered roll positions and sideways removal.

[0025] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a single-chute embodiment of a toilet roll dispensing apparatus.

[0028] Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

[0029] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

[0031] Figure 5 is a front view showing the apparatus of Figure 1 in use.

[0032] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a multi-chute embodiment of a toilet roll dispensing apparatus.

[0033] Figure 7 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 6.

[0034] Figure 8 is a front cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 6.

[0035] Figure 9 shows a rail comprising bifurcated portions.

[0036] Figure 10 is a front view showing detail of the guide in the apparatus of Figure 6.

[0037] Figure 11 is a front cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 6 showing aligned rolls.

[0038] Figure 12 is a front view illustrating roll movement in the apparatus of Figure 6.Description of Embodiments

[0039] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a single-chute embodiment of a toilet roll dispensing apparatus 100, whereas Figures 6 to 12 illustrate a multi-chute embodiment.

[0040] With reference to the single-chute embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the apparatus 100 preferably comprises a wooden casing defining front and rear rounded frames 101 with sidewalls 102 extending therebetween. A front face 103 of the apparatus 100 may be defined by the front frame and a 5 mm recessed decorative inlay panel 104. The casing may be supported on feet 105 and may include a removable lid 108, preferably shaped to conform with the rounded upper contour of the frames 101 .

[0041] With reference to Figure 3, which shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 100 in a plane defined by the face 103, the apparatus 100 defines a vertical interior loading channel 106. This channel 106 is bounded laterally by the sidewalls 102 and bounded front-to-rear by the front and rear casing structures, such as the frames 101 and their respective inlays 104 or a backing panel. With reference to Figure 2, which shows a front view of the apparatus 100, the apparatus further defines an outlet 107 positioned through the face 103 at a lower end of the channel 106.

[0042] With reference to Figure 4 (front cross-sectional view) and associated Figure 5 (front view in use), the channel 106 is configured to retain a plurality of toilet rolls109 oriented with their central axes perpendicular to the face 103. The "central axis" of a toilet roll, as used herein, refers to the longitudinal axis that extends through the core of the roll and about which the roll would rotate when mounted on a spindle. In this configuration, the toilet rolls 109 are stacked such that their cylindrical cores face towards the face 103, and the rolls are withdrawn through the outlet 107 along this axis.

[0043] Each bottommost toilet roll 109A is dispensed in turn through the outlet 107 along its central axis.

[0044] During use, the lid 108 may be removed to access the loading channel 106 and insert a plurality of toilet rolls 109, stacked with their central axes perpendicular to the face 103. That is, the rolls are stacked end-on and withdrawn through the outlet 107 longitudinally, rather than sideways.

[0045] This arrangement facilitates predictable removal and avoids the problems associated with sideways dispensing, which can occur when vertically adjacent toilet rolls shift into front and rear offset positions. Such offset stacking can result in undesired frontward biasing that prematurely ejects the bottommost toilet roll 109 from the outlet 107, or rearward biasing that makes retrieval difficult. The configuration of the channel 106 and outlet 107 mitigates such issues by enabling the bottommost toilet roll 109 to be withdrawn longitudinally, with only friction from the rolls above needing to be overcome.

[0046] The outlet 107 may be dimensioned to permit passage of each toilet roll 109 only when oriented with its central axis aligned to the outlet, thereby preventing removal in a sideways orientation. In this regard, the outlet 107 may be generally circular or ovular, with rounded edges as shown in the figures. Specifically, the outlet 107 may have a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than the known length of the toilet rolls 109 to prevent sideways withdrawal through the outlet.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the outlet 107 is preferably vertically elongate to facilitate viewing of the next uppermost toilet roll 109B, allowing a user to quickly determine whether the apparatus 100 requires replenishment. In one embodiment, the outlet 107 has a vertical dimension (in the plane of the face 103) greater than 1 %times, or even greater than 11 times, the diameter of a toilet roll 109 to ensure sufficient visibility of the next roll.

[0048] With further reference to Figures 4 and 5, the channel 106 preferably has a width, in the plane of the face 103, greater than that of the outlet 107. Additionally, the channel 106 may have a width greater than the known diameter of each toilet roll 109, such that vertically adjacent toilet rolls 109 adopt alternating lateral positions within the channel 106, as shown in Figure 4, thereby increasing the channel’s storage capacity.

[0049] The apparatus 100 may further comprise a guide 110 positioned at the lower end of the channel 106 and configured to centrally align the bottommost toilet roll 109A with the outlet 107. The guide 110 may be formed as a separate insert at the base of the channel 106 and may define an interior profile having planar sidewalls that converge towards a bottom rounded portion. This rounded portion may conform to the outer diameter of a toilet roll 109. In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the rounded portion is 52 mm, while the interior width and height of the channel 106 may be approximately 171 mm and 500 mm or more, respectively.

[0050] As shown in Figure 1 , the guide 110 may be formed by a pair of spaced-apart guide portions positioned at opposite ends of the bottommost toilet roll 109A to guide it into alignment with the outlet 107. This configuration may reduce material requirements and provide effective support at critical locations.

[0051] With reference to Figure 5, a bottom edge 111 of the outlet 107 may be slightly elevated relative to a floor 112 of the channel 106, such that the bottommost toilet roll 109A must be lifted over the bottom edge 111 to be retrieved. This arrangement helps securely retain the bottommost toilet roll within the channel 106.

[0052] With reference now to the multi-chute embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 11 , and particularly to Figure 7 (front view) and Figure 8 (front cross-sectional view), the apparatus 100 defines a plurality of interior loading channels 106 that share a common outlet 107. In the plane defined by the face 103, the common outlet 107 is preferably centrally aligned relative to the plurality of channels 106. More preferably, the apparatus 100 includes an odd number of channels 106, with the outlet 107aligned with a central channel. In the embodiment shown, the apparatus comprises three channels — one central channel 106A and two lateral channels 106B.

[0053] As shown in Figure 8, the apparatus 100 defines a lateral passageway 113, across which some bottommost toilet rolls 109A (particularly those from the lateral channels 106B) travel sideways to reach the outlet 107, while maintaining their central axes perpendicular to the face 103. With reference to Figure 7, the face 103 further includes a horizontal slot 114. This slot 114 is sized so that toilet rolls 109 cannot pass through it, but a user can manually manipulate the rolls sideways through the lateral passageway 113 to reach the outlet 107.

[0054] As shown in Figure 8, the apparatus 100 may further comprise a guide 115 within the lateral passageway 113, configured to detain toilet rolls 109A in position relative to their respective channels 106B. The guide 115 may take the form of a bottom rail defining indentations 116, each configured to receive and retain a respective toilet roll. As shown in Figure 6, the guide 115 may be formed by a pair of spaced-apart front and rear rails acting on opposite ends of the toilet rolls 109.

[0055] Additionally, as illustrated in Figure 8, the guide 115 may define minor indentations 116B aligned with the lateral channels 106B and a major indentation 116A aligned with the outlet 107. Figure 9 shows that each rail 115A may include bifurcated portions 1 17, each defining a minor indentation 116B and cooperating at their interface to define the major indentation 116A.

[0056] With reference to Figure 10 (front view) and Figure 1 1 (front cross-sectional view), the toilet rolls 109 may be stacked within each channel and retained in alignment by the guide 115. These channels 106 may be narrower than the single channel of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, such that vertically adjacent toilet rolls 109 remain laterally aligned. The indentations 116 of the guide 115 help ensure that the bottommost toilet rolls 109A are retained in their aligned positions, preventing unintended sideways slippage or jamming within the lateral passageway 113.

[0057] Figure 12 shows a front view of the apparatus illustrating the travel path 118 of a toilet roll 109 from a lateral channel 106B to the outlet 107. A user may insert a finger through the horizontal slot 114 into the core of the toilet roll to push it sideways,allowing it to rise from the minor indentation 116B, traverse across the passageway 113, and drop into the major indentation 116A, as indicated by the path 118. In this position, the toilet roll 109 is aligned with the outlet 107 for dispensing. The horizontal slot 114 also serves as a viewing window to assess which channels 106 require replenishment — for instance, Figure 10 shows that the right-hand lateral channel 106B is empty.

[0058] As further shown in Figure 10, the bottom edge 111 of the outlet 107 may be slightly raised above a floor 112 located beneath the channels 106, such that the bottommost toilet roll 109A aligned with the outlet must be slightly lifted to retrieve it from the outlet 107.

[0059] An exemplary method of use for both the single-chute and multi-chute embodiments of the toilet roll dispensing apparatus 100 will now be described. It is to be understood that these embodiments are provided by way of example only and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0060] With reference first to the single-chute embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the lid 108 is removed from the apparatus 100 to expose the interior loading channel 106. A plurality of toilet rolls 109 are inserted into the channel 106, stacked one atop another such that each roll 109 is oriented with its central axis perpendicular to the face 103. The rolls 109 rest on the guide 110 at the lower end of the channel 106, with the bottommost roll 109A centrally aligned with the outlet 107.

[0061] In use, a user may retrieve the bottommost toilet roll 109A by reaching through the outlet 107 and drawing the roll 109A outwardly along its central axis. Due to the alignment of the rolls 109 and the dimensioning of the outlet 107, the roll 109A is dispensed longitudinally, with minimal interference from the rolls 109 stacked above it. The elevated bottom edge 111 of the outlet 107 may retain the roll 109A until a gentle lifting force is applied to remove it over the edge. Upon removal of the bottommost roll 109A, the next roll 109B descends under gravity into the dispensing position, becoming the new bottommost roll ready for retrieval. The vertically elongate outlet 107 permits the user to visually assess whether further toilet rolls remain stacked above, and to determine whether replenishment is required.

[0062] With reference now to the multi-chute embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 12, the lid 108 is likewise removed to expose the multiple interior loading channels 106, including a central channel 106A and two lateral channels 106B. Each of the channels 106 is loaded with toilet rolls 109 stacked vertically with their central axes perpendicular to the face 103.

[0063] The guide 115 within the lateral passageway 113 retains the bottommost toilet rolls 109A from the lateral channels 106B in respective minor indentations 116B. The central channel 106A positions its bottommost roll 109A directly above the major indentation 116A aligned with the outlet 107.

[0064] In use, the user first retrieves any toilet roll 109A aligned directly with the outlet 107. When the central channel 106A is depleted, the user may access a roll 109A from either lateral channel 106B. To do so, a finger may be inserted through the horizontal slot 114 and into the central core of a roll 109A seated in a minor indentation 116B. The user then manually urges the roll sideways along the lateral passageway 113, causing it to rise from the minor indentation 116B, traverse across the passageway 113, and settle into the major indentation 116A aligned with the outlet 107. The roll 109 may then be retrieved in the same manner as in the single-chute embodiment — by drawing it through the outlet 107 along its central axis. The horizontal slot 114 may also be used to inspect whether any of the channels 106 require replenishment.

[0065] In both embodiments, the configuration ensures that toilet rolls are dispensed one at a time in a consistent and accessible manner, while maintaining orientation and preventing unwanted jamming or displacement during retrieval.

[0066] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims1. A toilet roll dispensing apparatus defining an interior loading channel that extends to an outlet located at a lower end of the channel through a face of the apparatus, the channel being configured to retain a plurality of toilet rolls oriented with their central axes perpendicular to the face, wherein a bottommost toilet roll is dispensed through the outlet along its central axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outlet is dimensioned to permit passage of each toilet roll only in an orientation aligned with its central axis, and to prevent passage in a sideways orientation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the outlet is ovular and has a maximum cross- sectional dimension less than that of a known length of each of the toilet rolls.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the outlet is elongate in a vertical dimension.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, in a plane defined by the face, the vertical dimension of the outlet is greater than VA times a diameter of the toilet rolls.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, in a plane defined by the face, a width of the channel is greater than a width of the outlet.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a guide positioned at the lower end of the channel to centrally align the bottommost toilet roll with the outlet.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the guide comprises front and rear guide portions configured to guide respective ends of the bottommost toilet roll.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a width of the channel is greater than a known diameter of the toilet rolls, such that vertically adjacent toilet rolls adopt alternating lateral positions within the channel.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a bottom edge of the outlet is elevated relative to a floor of the channel, such that the bottommost toilet roll must be lifted over the bottom edge for retrieval.11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus defines a plurality of interior loading channels that share a common outlet.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein, in a plane defined by the face, the common outlet is centrally aligned relative to the loading channels.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the apparatus defines an uneven number of loading channels and the common outlet is aligned with a central one of the loading channels.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises three loading channels.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the apparatus defines a lateral passageway across which some bottommost toilet rolls travel sideways, with their central axes remaining perpendicular to the face, to reach the outlet.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the face defines a horizontal slot through which the toilet rolls cannot pass, but through which they can be manually manipulated sideways to reach the outlet.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a guide within the lateral passageway configured to detain toilet rolls in position relative to their respective channels.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the guide comprises a bottom rail defining indentations to detain the toilet rolls.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the guide comprises a minor indentation adjacent the outlet and a major indentation aligned with the outlet.

20. A method of dispensing toilet rolls using the apparatus of claim 1 , the method comprising: inserting a plurality of toilet rolls into the interior loading channel such that each toilet roll is oriented with its central axis perpendicular to the face; and withdrawing the bottommost toilet roll through the outlet along its central axis.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the outlet is dimensioned to prevent withdrawal of the toilet rolls in a sideways orientation.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising aligning the bottommost toilet roll with the outlet using a guide positioned at a lower end of the channel.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising lifting the bottommost toilet roll over a bottom edge of the outlet elevated relative to a floor of the channel to retrieve the toilet roll.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein vertically adjacent toilet rolls adopt alternating lateral positions within the channel due to the width of the channel being greater than a known diameter of the toilet rolls.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of interior loading channels and the method further comprises laterally transferring a toilet roll from a lateral channel through a lateral passageway to align it with the outlet for dispensing.

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