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[SOT] Stainless Steel Ratcheting Paper Towel Dispenser ForRoll-away Tool Chest - Or Any Other Cabinet



The pic is posted, Allyn put the picture up for me... Thanks Allyn!!!

Here's the link to it:
http://scirocco.dhs.org/vw/list/peter/perfecttear.JPG


Dave W's Perfect Tear shipped today.

Dave U's Perfect Tear will ship tomorrow.

Al Perfect Tear will ship tomorrow.

I have Cathy down for 3...


I've done away with the limit of 20, since I can always get more.


Thanks,
Peter

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter" <peter@thescirocco.com>
To: <Scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 3:11 AM
Subject: [SOT] Stainless Steel Ratcheting Paper Towel Dispenser ForRoll-away 
Tool Chest - Or Any Other Cabinet


>I have 20 ratcheting paper-towel dispensers, that bolt to the side of any
> roll-away tool storage unit.
> They allow for a one handed paper-towel tear-off, and will not unravel, as
> long as it's mounted in a horizontal position. It will also hold 2 toilet
> paper rolls, but the ratcheting fingers have to be modified for the easier
> to tear toilet paper.
>
> If you don't have a tool chest, you can also mount this to a 2 by 4, and
> then secure that to a wall, or something. It will also mount to a kitchen
> cabinet, go figure...
>
> There is a US patent on this:
> http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6793097-fulltext.html
>
> I'm selling them for $10 each, including free Priority Mail shipping in 
> the
> US, and $4 for Priority Mail to Canada, eh. The Customs paper work would
> show $5 merchandise...
>
> Pay Pal peterSPAM@thescirocco.com $10, or $14 USD for Canadian Priority.
>
> If you're going to Cincy, you can email me your address, I'll ship it out
> now, and then you can pay me cash in June.
>
> I'm going to try and take some pictures of the ratcheting paper-towel
> dispenser.
>
> The prices are good for the month of March, or until I sell what I have.
>
> See US patent below...
>
> Thanks!
>
> Peter
> 302.832.8989
> http://thescirocco.com
>
>
>
> There is a US patent on this:
> http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6793097-fulltext.html
>
> A rotation mechanism is provided for use with dispensers for rolled
> products. The rotation mechanism can be utilized with dispensers 
> configured
> for a number of different paper, plastic, foil or other products supplied 
> as
> rolled sheets on tubes or rolls, The rotation mechanism provides mild
> resistance to the rotation of a roll of products such that a desired
> quantity can be removed from the roll without excess material unraveling
> from the roll.
>
>
> Claims
>
> What is claimed is:
>
> 1. A dispenser for a product supplied as a rolled sheet on a tube or roll,
> said dispenser comprising:
>
> a rod having a first end and a second end, said rod having an axial screw
> stud at said first end;
>
> a sleeve disposed on said first end of said rod, said sleeve having an 
> upper
> end and a lower end, said upper end having a circumferential collar;
>
> a spinner disposed on and being freely rotatable about said sleeve, said
> spinner having a head end and a bottom end, said head end contacting said
> collar such that said spinner is retained on said sleeve, and said bottom
> end having a concentric depression therein, said concentric depression
> having a plurality of circumferential ridges;
>
> a fiction disc disposed on said axial screw stud and within said 
> concentric
> depression such that said spinner is retained on said sleeve; and
>
> a first base member, said rod being joined to said first base member by 
> said
> screw stud engaging a retaining nut in said first base member.
>
> 2. The dispenser according to claim 1 in which said lower end of the 
> sleeve
> has a recessed area.
>
> 3. The dispenser according to claim 2 in which said friction disc is
> disposed within said recessed area, said friction disc having a core and a
> plurality of protrusions extending form the core, said protrusions loosely
> engaging said plurality, of circumferential ridges such that when said
> spinner rotates said plurality of protrusions contact said plurality of
> ridges, slowing said rotation.
>
> 4. The dispenser according to claim 3 further comprising:
>
> a cap located on said rod toward the end of the rod opposite the location 
> of
> said spinner; and
>
> a plurality of flexible wires, each having a first end and a second end,
> each connected to said cap at said first end and connected to said spinner
> at said second end, each of said wires being bowed outward in order to
> closely engage the inside of said tube or roll.
>
> 5. The dispenser according to claim 4, wherein:
>
> said sleeve further comprises at least one rotation lock, said at least 
> one
> rotation lock engaging at least one notch in said first base member.
>
> 6. The dispenser according to claim 5, further comprising:
>
> a head piece attached to said second end of said rod; and
>
> a tear bar.
>
> 7. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said spinner is sized and
> dimensioned to closely engage the inner surface of a tube or roll used for
> rolled sheet products.
>
> 8. The dispenser according to claim 7 wherein said spinner further 
> comprises
> a circumferential surface and a plurality of flexible fingers disposed on
> said circumferential surface.
>
> 9. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said friction disc has a
> circumferential edge and a flex ring disposed about said circumferential
> edge, said flex ring having a plurality of raised projections thereon, 
> said
> plurality of raised projections loosely engaging said plurality of
> circumferential ridges such that when said spinner rotates said plurality 
> of
> raised projections contact said plurality of ridges, generating resistance
> to said rotation.
>
> 10. The dispenser according to claim 9 wherein said sleeve further 
> comprises
> at least one first rotation lock, said at least one first rotation lock
> engaging at least one notch in said friction disc.
>
> 11. The dispenser according to claim 10 further comprising:
>
> a washer disposed between said spinner and said friction disc.
>
> 12. The dispenser according to claim 10 wherein said friction disc further
> comprises at least one second rotation lock, said at least one second
> rotation lock engaging at least one notch in said base.
>
> 13. The dispenser according to claim 11 wherein said friction disc further
> comprises at least one second rotation lock, said at least one second
> rotation lock engaging at least one notch in said base.
>
> 14. The dispenser according to claim 7, further comprising:
>
> a head piece attached to said second end of said rod; and
>
> a tear bar.
>
> 15. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first base member is
> configured to support a roll of paper towels in a vertical orientation.
>
> 16. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first base member is
> configured to support a roll of paper towels in a horizontal orientation.
>
> 17. The dispenser according to claim 16, further comprising a second base
> member, said second base member being removably joined to said second end 
> of
> said rod.
>
> 18. The dispenser according to claim 17, wherein said first base member 
> and
> said second base member are configured for mounting on a wall.
>
> 19. A rotation mechanism for use with a dispenser for household materials
> supplied as rolled sheets, said mechanism comprising:
>
> a spinner, said spinner being generally tubular in shape, having a head 
> end
> and a bottom end, and an axial bore therethrough, said bottom end having a
> concentric depression therein, said concentric depression having a 
> plurality
> of circumferential ridges thereon;
>
> a cylindrical sleeve member having a circumferential collar at an upper 
> end
> thereof, said spinner being mounted on and freely rotatable about said
> cylindrical sleeve member; and
>
> a friction disc mounted coaxially on a lower end of said cylindrical 
> sleeve
> member and disposed within said concentric depression such that said 
> spinner
> is retained between said collar and said friction disc.
>
> 20. The rotation mechanism as in claim 19, wherein:
>
> said friction disc has a core and a plurality of protrusions extending 
> from
> said core, said protrusions loosely engaging said plurality of
> circumferential ridges such that when said spinner rotates said plurality 
> of
> protrusions contact said plurality of ridges, generating resistance to 
> said
> rotation.
>
> 21. The rotation mechanism as in claim 19, wherein said friction disc has 
> a
> circumferential edge and a flex ring disposed about said circumferential
> edge, said flex ring having a plurality of raised projections thereon, 
> said
> plurality of raised projections loosely engaging said plurality of
> circumferential ridges such that when said spinner rotates said plurality 
> of
> raised projections contact said plurality of ridges, generating resistance
> to said rotation.
>
> 22. The rotation mechanism of claim 19 wherein said spinner is sized and
> dimensioned to closely to closely engage the inner surface of a tube or 
> roll
> used for rolled sheet products.
>
> 23. The rotation mechanism of claim 22 wherein said spinner has a 
> plurality
> of flexible fingers thereon.
>
> 24. The rotation mechanism as in claim 19 further comprising a washer
> disposed between said friction disc and said spinner.
>
> 25. The rotation mechanism as in claim 19, wherein said sleeve comprises 
> at
> least one first rotation lock, said at least one first rotation lock
> engaging at least one notch in said friction disc.
>
> 26. A dispenser for a product supplied as a rolled sheet on a tube or 
> roll,
> said dispenser comprising:
>
> a first base member;
>
> a sleeve having a circumferential collar, said sleeve being joined to said
> first base member by a screw stud engaging a retaining nut in said first
> base member;
>
> a spinner disposed on and being freely rotatable about said sleeve, said
> first spinner having a head end and a bottom end, said head end contacting
> said collar such that said first spinner is retained on said sleeve, said
> bottom end having a concentric depression therein, said concentric
> depression having a, plurality of circumferential ridges; and
>
> a friction disc disposed on said axial screw stud and within said 
> concentric
> depression such that said spinner is retained on said sleeve, said 
> friction
> disc having a core and a plurality of protrusions extending from said 
> core,
> said protrusions loosely engaging said plurality of circumferential ridges
> such that when said spinner rotates said plurality of protrusions contact
> said plurality of ridges, generating resistance to said rotation.
>
> 27. The dispenser as in claim 26 further comprising:
>
> a second base member;
>
> a cap; and
>
> a plurality of flexible wires, each having a first end and a second end,
> each connected to said cap at said first end and connected to said spinner
> at said second end, each of said wires being bowed outward in order to
> closely engage the inside of said tube or roll.
>
> 28. The dispenser according to claim 27 wherein said dispenser is 
> configured
> for mounting on a wall.
>
> 29. A rotation mechanism for dispensing a product oriented on a roll, said
> rotation mechanism comprising:
>
> a plurality of flexible wires for contacting an interior of the roll;
>
> a freely rotating cap for receiving a first end portion of the plurality 
> of
> flexible wires;
>
> a freely rotating spinner for receiving a second end portion of the
> plurality of flexible wires; and
>
> a friction disc for providing resistance to the freely rotating spinner.
>
> 30. The rotation mechanism of claim 29, wherein the freely rotating 
> spinner
> comprises a depression for receiving the friction disc, a surface of the
> depression including divets and ridges thereon.
>
> 31. The rotation mechanism of claim 29, wherein the friction disc 
> comprises
> a plurality of protrusions for engaging the freely rotating spinner.
>
> 32. The rotation mechanism of claim 29, further comprising a stationary 
> rod
> for extending through the cap and the spinner.
>
> 33. The rotation mechanism of claim 32, further comprising a stationary
> sleeve, oriented interior to the spinner, for receiving the stationary 
> rod.
>
> Description
>
> FIELD OF THE INVENTION
>
> The present invention is drawn generally to the field of holders for 
> paper,
> plastic, foil or other goods. More specifically, the present invention is
> drawn to the field of dispensers for paper, plastic, foil or other goods
> that are supplied as sheets on rolls.
>
> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
>
> A number of household paper, plastic and foil goods in common use are
> supplied as continuous sheets on rolls or tubes. The most common examples 
> of
> these are paper towels, toilet paper, plastic wrap and aluminum foil. In a
> number of cases the sheets are perforated at regular intervals to allow an
> individual to select a desired quantity of material and easily separate it
> from the roll. Dispensing of these materials is made even easier by a
> variety of dispensing devices that are used to mount the roll or tube on
> dowel or rod to allow easy unraveling of the sheets from the roll. A
> drawback of most dispensers is that because the roll of product is allowed
> to rotate freely, the force required to separate individual sheets from 
> the
> roll frequently results in excess material being unraveled from the roll.
>
> It would be desirable to provide a dispenser for rolled paper, plastic, 
> foil
> or other products that eliminates these drawbacks. Such a device would be
> adaptable to various types of paper, plastic, foil and other goods that 
> are
> supplied on rolls.
>
> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
>
> The present invention provides a novel rotation mechanism for use with a
> dispenser for paper, plastic, foil and other goods that are supplied on
> rolls or tubes as perforated or un-perforated sheets. The present 
> invention
> further provides several embodiments of a dispenser for such products that
> incorporate the novel rotation mechanism of the current invention. One
> embodiment of the dispenser comprises a rod and a base for supporting a 
> roll
> of material to be dispensed. A rotation mechanism located on the rod
> includes a spinner that is disposed on and rotatable about a sleeve 
> affixed
> to the rod. A stationary friction disc disposed below the spinner supplies
> resistance to the rotation of the spinner and hence the roll on which the
> goods are supplied. While allowing rotation of the spinner to dispense the
> paper, plastic, foil, or other goods from the roll, the friction disc
> prevents the material from unraveling from the roll when a desired 
> quantity
> is torn from the roll. The roll is maintained in mechanical contact with 
> the
> spinner by a plurality of flexible bowing wires extending from the spinner
> to a cap located on the rod toward the end of the rod opposite the 
> spinner.
> A preferred embodiment of the invention is designed for use with rolled
> paper products such as paper towels, toilet paper, etc.
>
> In an alternate embodiment, the spinner is sized and configured to closely
> engage the inner surface of the tube or roll on which the goods are
> supplied, and the wires are not present.
>
> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
>
> FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
> dispenser incorporating a rotation mechanism according to the current
> invention.
>
> FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the rotation
> mechanism according to the current invention
>
> FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-section of the embodiment of the rotation
> mechanism assembled.
>
> FIG. 3A illustrates a view of the bottom end of an embodiment of a sleeve
> according to the current invention.
>
> FIG. 3B illustrates a view of the bottom end of an embodiment of a spinner
> and sleeved assembled, according to the current invention.
>
> FIG. 3C illustrates a detailed view of the circumferential ridges shown in
> FIG. 3B.
>
> FIG. 4A illustrates views of the top and side of a preferred embodiment of 
> a
> friction disc according to the current invention.
>
> FIG. 4B illustrates a view of the bottom end of an assembled spinner,
> sleeve, and friction disc, according to the current invention.
>
> FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates a top view and bottom view, respectively, of 
> an
> alternate embodiment of the friction disc.
>
> FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of an alternated embodiment of an 
> assembled
> spinner, sleeve, and friction disc.
>
> FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
> dispenser, mounted horizontally, and incorporating a rotation mechanism
> according to the current invention.
>
> DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
>
> The present invention provides a novel rotation mechanism for a dispenser
> for paper, plastic, foil or other products that are supplied as perforated
> or un-perforated sheets on a tube or roll, and several embodiments of
> dispensers incorporating the novel rotation mechanism. According to one
> embodiment, the dispenser includes a rod having an axial screw stud at one
> end for joining the rod to a base member by means of a locking nut or
> similar connection in the base member. The rotation mechanism in this
> embodiment includes a sleeve disposed on the end of the rod that is joined
> to the base. Preferably the sleeve has a circumferential collar for
> retaining a spinner on the rod. A spinner is disposed on and freely
> rotatable about said sleeve. The top end of the spinner contacts the 
> collar
> such that the spinner is retained on the sleeve. The bottom end of the
> spinner has a concentric depression therein, with a plurality of
> circumferential ridges. A friction disc is disposed on the axial screw 
> stud
> and within the concentric depression on the bottom end of the spinner. The
> friction disc serves to retain the spinner on the sleeve. The friction 
> disc
> also acts to generate mild resistance to the rotation of the spinner. This
> mild resistance allows the spinner to rotate to dispense a desired 
> quantity
> of material from the roll on the rod. However, the resistance is 
> sufficient
> to prevent undesired quantities of material from unraveling when a sheet 
> is
> tom from the roll. An embodiment of the invention will now be described in
> detail with reference to the attached figures.
>
> Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the inventive dispenser is
> shown. The dispenser 100 is supported by a base 102, which is preferably
> weighted in the embodiment shown. A rod 104 extends vertically from the 
> base
> 102. A spinner 106 is located at one end of the rod 104, preferably
> proximate, to the base 102 as shown in FIG. 1. A cap 120 is located on the
> rod 104 toward the end opposite the location of the spinner 106. A 
> plurality
> of flexible wires 115 are connected at one end to the cap 120 and at the
> other end to the spinner 106. The wires bow outward and provide a snug fit
> to the inside of the roll of sheets being dispensed. The wires thus ensure
> that the roll, cap, and spinner all rotate together as a unit, e.g., a
> rotation mechanism, with no slippage of the roll with respect to the
> rotation mechanism.
>
> Optionally, a tear bar 112 may be located on the base 102. Also 
> optionally,
> a head piece 110 may be located at the end of the rod opposite the spinner
> 106. The head piece 110 is sized to fit loosely within a roll or tube of 
> the
> type used for paper, plastic or foil goods supplied in rolled sheets to
> stabilize the roll or tube on the rod.
>
> Referring to FIG. 2A, an exploded view of an embodiment of the rotation
> mechanism 200 according to the current invention is shown. A rod 104 
> inserts
> into a sleeve 204. A spinner 106 is disposed on and freely rotatable about
> the sleeve 204. Preferably, a collar 208 is provided on the sleeve 204 for
> the purpose of retaining the spinner on the sleeve. A friction disc 210 is
> disposed between the sleeve 204 and the base 102. A screw stud 214 on the
> end of the rod 104 passes through apertures in the sleeve 204 and friction
> disc 210, and engages a retaining nut 216 within the base 102.
>
> Referring to FIG. 2B, a cross-section of the embodiment of the spinner 106
> is shown assembled. Preferably, the sleeve 204 is provided with rotation
> locks 228, which engage slots 230 in the base 102, preventing rotation of
> the sleeve.
>
> Referring to FIG. 3A, a bottom view of the sleeve 104 according to the
> current invention is shown. The sleeve has a recessed area 205 in which 
> the
> friction disc is situated.
>
> Referring to FIG. 3B, a view of the bottom end of the said embodiment of a
> spinner 106 positioned on the sleeve 104 is shown. The spinner 106 is
> generally tubular in shape and may preferably be tapered at the head end 
> as
> shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. A concentric depression is defined by the
> circumference 302. The circumference 302 has a plurality of ridges 304 and
> divets 305 thereon. A detail of the circumference 302, ridges 304, and
> divets 305 is shown in FIG. 3C.
>
> Referring to FIG. 4A, a top view and side view of one embodiment of a
> friction disc 210 according to the current invention is shown. Extending
> from a core 401 is a plurality of flexible protrusions 407. A centered
> aperture 408 allows the passage of the screw stud 214.
>
> Referring to FIG. 4B, a bottom view of the assembled spinner 106, sleeve
> 104, and friction disc 210 is shown. The friction disc 210 is disposed in
> the recessed area 205 of the sleeve 104 and remains stationary as the
> spinner 106 rotates. In this embodiment the friction disc is held 
> stationary
> in the recessed area of the sleeve, said sleeve being held stationary by 
> the
> rotation locks 228. The protrusions 407 of the friction disc can flex side
> to side in the plane of the friction disc as the said ridges 304 of the
> spinner engage the ends of the protrusions. The protrusions 407 are sized
> such that they loosely engage the divets 305 between the ridges 304 in the
> circumference 302. As the spinner 106 rotates, the protrusions 407 ride 
> over
> the ridges 304 and flex sideways. This action allows desired quantities of
> material to be unwound from a roll of paper, plastic, foil or other rolled
> product. The action of the protrusions alternately riding over the ridges
> and engaging the divets creates a clicking sound as the spinner rotates.
> Once the desired quantity has been unwound, the resistance created by the
> engagement of the fingers in the divets allows the material to be removed
> from a roll without undesired material coming unraveled.
>
> In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the rotation mechanism is 
> sized
> and configured to snugly engage the inner surface of a roll or tube of the
> type used for paper, plastic or foil goods supplied in rolled sheets. The
> rotation mechanism may preferably have a plurality of flexible fingers. 
> The
> flexible fingers aid in retaining the roll or tube on the rotation
> mechanism. In this embodiment the previously described flexible wires are
> omitted.
>
> Referring to FIG. 5A, a perspective view of the top of an alternate
> embodiment of a friction disc 506 according to the current invention is
> shown. The body 508 of the friction disc 506 is generally circular and has 
> a
> flexing ring 510 about its circumference. The flexing ring 510 has
> attachment points 512 to the body 508 in at least two places. Projections
> 514 are locating on the flexing ring such that the projections 514 can 
> flex
> inward when a force is applied. Optionally, slots 516 for receiving the
> rotation locks from a sleeve, not shown, are located on the top surface of
> the friction disc 506. FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of the bottom of 
> the
> friction disc 506, which is essentially identical to the top view with the
> exception that optionally rotation locks 518 are located on the bottom
> surface of the friction disc.
>
> Referring to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of a spinner 600 is shown as 
> a
> perspective view of the bottom end with an alternate embodiment of a
> friction disc 506 disposed within a concentric depression 602. The 
> friction
> disc 506 and flexing ring 510 are sized such that such that the 
> projections
> 514 loosely engage divets between ridges 604 in the circumference of the
> concentric depression 602. As the spinner 600 rotates the projections 514
> ride over the ridges 604 as the flexing ring flexes inward. A friction and
> clicking action thereby results, similar to that in the preferred 
> embodiment
> previously described.
>
> Referring to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of the dispenser suitable for
> mounting horizontally on a wall is shown. A base 701 allows the horizontal
> mounting. Also shown is a roll of material to be dispensed 702 wrapped on 
> a
> tube 703 and positioned on the dispenser.
>
> Several embodiments of the invention have thus been described for
> illustrative purposes. However, those skilled in the art will recognize 
> that
> the inventive dispenser disclosed can be configured in other ways not
> illustrated in the drawings.
>
> According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the dispenser can
> be oriented horizontally. Preferably in this alternative embodiment, the
> dispenser is configured for mounting on a wall. More preferably according 
> to
> this embodiment, the dispenser further comprises a second base member
> wherein a tube or roll of goods is disposed between the two bases when the
> dispenser is in use. According to this embodiment, the dispenser may or 
> may
> not include a rod or dowel disposed between the two bases. In the case 
> that
> a rod is not included, the rotation mechanism may still be configured as
> shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, with the exception that the rod 104 is not
> present. In this case, the screw stud 214 may be integral with the sleeve
> 204 or may be separate. Further, in this embodiment, the sleeve 204 may be
> hollow or a solid cylinder. In either alternative of this embodiment, the
> second base member will have a second spinner disposed thereon for 
> engaging
> the interior surface of a tube or roll. The second spinner may or may not
> comprise part of a second rotation mechanism according to the current
> invention. Preferably, the second spinner does not comprise part of a 
> second
> rotation mechanism, but instead rotates freely without a friction disc.
>
> Those skilled in the art will recognize that the novel rotation mechanism 
> of
> the current invention can be incorporated into various dispensers for a
> variety of household and other products that are supplied as rolled sheets
> on tubes or rolls. Examples of such household and other products include,
> but are not limited to paper towels, toilet paper, plastic wrap, shrink
> wrap, aluminum and tin foil, wax paper and gift-wrapping paper. All of 
> these
> embodiments are considered to be within the scope of the current 
> invention.
> Those skilled in the art will be able to ascertain the scope of the
> invention by the claims appended hereto.
>
>
>
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