Dispenser for rolled sheet material
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material comprising:
- a housing defining an interior adapted to rotatably support rolled sheet material, the housing further defining a dispensing opening sized to allow sheet material to be dispensed therefrom; and
a floating nip within the housing, the floating nip positioned to restrain sheet material dispensed from the dispensing opening,wherein the floating nip comprises a first nipping member comprising a curved surface and a second nipping member comprising a substantially planar surface,wherein the curved surface impinges the substantially flat surface to nip sheet material being dispensed,wherein the first nipping member further comprises first and second arms, the first and second arms being rotatable about first and second torsion springs, the first and second torsion springs biasing the curved surface towards the substantially flat surface,wherein the second nipping member is rotatable about third and fourth torsion springs, the third and fourth torsion springs biasing the substantially flat surface towards the curved surface.
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Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material, the apparatus including a housing that defines an interior adapted to rotatably support rolled sheet material and having a dispensing opening sized to allow sheet material to be dispensed therefrom. The apparatus further includes a floating nip within the housing such as, for example, may be formed by first and second rollers. The floating nip minimizes variation in the force required to remove sheet material from the dispenser that may result from a user changing the angle at which sheet material is removed.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material comprising:
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a housing defining an interior adapted to rotatably support rolled sheet material, the housing further defining a dispensing opening sized to allow sheet material to be dispensed therefrom; and a floating nip within the housing, the floating nip positioned to restrain sheet material dispensed from the dispensing opening, wherein the floating nip comprises a first nipping member comprising a curved surface and a second nipping member comprising a substantially planar surface, wherein the curved surface impinges the substantially flat surface to nip sheet material being dispensed, wherein the first nipping member further comprises first and second arms, the first and second arms being rotatable about first and second torsion springs, the first and second torsion springs biasing the curved surface towards the substantially flat surface, wherein the second nipping member is rotatable about third and fourth torsion springs, the third and fourth torsion springs biasing the substantially flat surface towards the curved surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material comprising:
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a housing defining an interior adapted to rotatably support rolled sheet material and having a dispensing opening sized to allow sheet material to be dispensed therefrom; a roll of sheet material having a plurality of zones of weakness that substantially extend across the width of the sheet material; and a pivotable nip within the housing, the nip comprising a first nip member and a second nip member, the first nip member being resiliently biased against the second nip member, and the second nip member being resiliently biased against the first nip member; wherein the first nip member and the second nip member are pivotable in operation, and wherein said sheet material is dispensed along a path that extends from the roll of sheet material, through the pivotable nip, and through the dispensing opening. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification