A rolling device for supporting a roll of toilet tissue and for containing an air-treating substance. The device includes a pair of axially aligned body members forming an elongated cage for the air-treating substance, such body members being spread apart and adjusted in their relative axial positions by a spring which is compressible therebetween and made of a material which undergoes stress relaxation at ambient temperatures such that it readily takes a new set upon mounting. The body members each have an axial protuberance extending from an end surface, such end surfaces preferably being somewhat convex to help minimize the bearing surface of the device with the socket structures in which it is mounted. The air-treating material is preferably in beads free to tumble as the cage is rotated. The spring is preferably a polyolefinic material and preferably includes helical strands extending around the cage. The strands preferably have reduced cross-sections near their ends.
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1. A rolling device mountable on and between opposed sockets and adapted for use in supporting a roll of toilet tissue, comprising:
a pair of axially aligned body members together forming an elongated cage, each body member including an axial protuberance engagable with one of the sockets; a vaporizable, air-treating substance within the cage;
and a spring spreading the body members to a relative axial adjustment and compressible therebetween to allow suspension of the cage between the opposed sockets of varying spacings, said spring comprising a material which undergoes stress relaxation at ambient temperatures such that its spreading force drops readily to near zero to reduce frictional forces between said protuberances and the sockets for whatever spacing the spring has accommodated, whereby the device will freely rotate in the sockets as paper is pulled from a paper roll mounted thereon to increase the rate of vapor dispersing from within the cage. 9. A rolling device mountable on and between opposed conventional sockets and adapted for use in supporting a roll of toilet tissue, comprising:
a tubular body section; first and second axially aligned body members, defining elongated cages adapted to contain a vaporizable air treating substance and extending outwardly of said tubular body section, each body member having means engagable with a socket, said first body member being disposed relative to said body section for axial telescopic movement therewith; and a spring acting to spread the body members to a relative axial adjustment and compressible by telescoping said first body member relative to said body section to allow suspension of the device between the opposed sockets of varying spacings, said spring comprising a material which undergoes stress relaxation at ambient temperatures such that its spreading force drops readily to near zero to reduce the frictional forces between said means of each body member with a socket for whatever spacing the spring has accommodated, whereby the device will freely rotate in the sockets as paper is pulled from a paper roll mounted thereon to increase the rate of vapor dispersing from within the cage.
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This invention relates to devices for providing both a continuous low level release of air-treating vapors and a more intense release of air-treating vapors at specific times. In particular, this invention relates to devices performing the combined functions of dispensing air-treating vapors and holding rolls of paper.
A great variety of devices have been developed to dispense air-treating vapors. Some of such devices are intended to dispense such vapors at a continuous low rate. Others are designed to dispense large amounts of vapors quickly to overcome an undesirable odor. A variety of devices have been developed which are intended to serve both functions. Finally, a number of devices have been developed which are small and/or may be inconspicuously placed to treat the air without cluttering the area.
Of particular concern in the field of air treatment is maintaining a pleasant odor or avoiding unpleasant odors in bathrooms. There has been a need for an improved product which better serves the air-freshening needs of a bathroom environment.
A variety of products have been developed for these purposes, but such products have a number of drawbacks. For example, a toilet paper roll holder carrying a cake of paradichlorobenzene is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,753,209. However, this sort of device does not very well dispense increased amounts of air-treating vapors when such are needed. The rate of vapor dispensing from such devices is substantially constant even while paper is being pulled from rolls mounted on such devices, an action which often occurs when undesirable odors are present.
While such paper roll holders of the prior art are adjustable to accommodate mounting device sockets of varying spacings, they are not adapted to roll freely in a wide variety of such spacings. As will be seen, free rolling of the paper roll holder can increase the outflow of air-treating vapors from air-treating materials contained within the holder, particularly if the contained materials are free to tumble within the holder upon rolling. However, if the holders are too tightly mounted, as is frequently the case with such devices of the prior art, a substantially increased outflow effect will not be possible.
In some other devices of the prior art, paper roll mounts contain air-treating substances in the form of powders or beads or some other material which can move within the device to greatly increase the outflow of air-treating vapors. However, like the device disclosed in the aforementioned patent, such devices have not been designed to accommodate varying spacings between the opposed mounting sockets of wall mounting structures, and thus the devices typically do not turn or do not turn properly on such mounting sockets to allow sufficient movement of the contained air-treating materials. A consistent rolling action and the resulting sufficient internal tumbling movement do not occur reliably when paper is withdrawn from the paper rolls mounted thereon.
A need remains for an improved, inexpensive roll-mounting device which contains an air-treating material and which can serve to dispense air-treating vapors both at a continuous low rate and, when paper is withdrawn from the paper roll mounted thereon, at an increased rate to overcome undesirable odors.
The present invention is a rolling device mountable on and between opposed sockets of a wall-mounted structure and adapted for use in supporting a roll of toilet tissue. The device has greatly improved vapor-dispensing abilities, including the ability to dispense increased amounts of vapors when paper is pulled from a roll mounted thereon. This is due in part to its free-rolling characteristic which is exhibited regardless of the spacing (within a broad range) between the opposed mounting sockets.
The rolling device of this invention includes a pair of axially aligned body members which together form an elongated cage. Within the cage is a vaporizable air-treating substance, preferably contained within plastic beads or some other material which can tumble freely upon rotation thereof. Each body member includes an axial protuberance which is non-rotatable with respect to the remainder of the body member and preferably integrally molded therewith. Each protuberance is engageable with one of the sockets to suspend the cage therebetween. A spring made of a material which undergoes stress relaxation at ambient temperatures extends between the pair of body members to hold them in a relative axial adjustment. The spring is compressible between the body members to allow shortening of the elongated cage such that it will fit between opposed mounting sockets of varying spacings. When the spring is compressed to any extent (within a broad range) for a sufficient period of time, it will undergo stress relaxation and take a new set such that the spreading force exerted by such spring on the body members approaches near zero.
The reduction of such spreading force loosens the engagement of the axial protuberances of the body members with the opposed sockets, allowing the device to roll freely as paper is pulled from a paper roll mounted thereon. Such free rolling of the cage temporarily increases the rate at which vapors are dispensed therefrom such that an intense undesirable odor will be overcome.
The spring is preferably made of polyolefinic materials, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and copolymers thereof. These and other acceptable spring materials undergo stress relaxation at ambient temperatures and will take a new set within a short period of time. Acceptable spring materials allow such relaxation to occur in no more than about one day.
The end surfaces of the body members and the axial protuberances extending therefrom are designed specifically to allow free turning of the device as paper is pulled from a paper roll mounted thereon. Each such end surface is slightly convex, receding away from its protuberance, such that there is little contact between the end surface and the socket structure. The principal contact is that between the protuberance itself and the socket in which it is inserted. Thus, the bearing surface between the device of this invention and the mounting socket structure is minimized, allowing free turning as paper is pulled from a roll mounted thereon, even when the paper roll is very ight such as when it is nearly depleted.
The protuberances from such convex end surfaces are preferably short in length. For example, the protuberances might be shorter than they are wide. If shorter than the depth of the sockets they engage, the convex end surfaces will engage the socket structures preventing the protuberances from reaching the bottoms of the sockets. Given their convexity, the engagement of the end surfaces with the socket structures will cause little friction which might interfere with free rolling action.
The spring is preferably a group of helical strands (for example, three) extending around the cage near the center thereof. In a highly preferred embodiment, each of the strands has a cross-section of reduced area near its ends to allow increased axial compression without excessive irregular deformation of the spring. The cross-sectional area is preferably gradually reduced from the center portions of the strands toward the ends thereof. Reducing the cross-sectional area of the spring strands near their ends allows more distortion-free axial compression for a given axial spring length. This feature is important because it decreases the axial dimension of the spring, thereby increasing the axial dimension of remaining portions of the cage.
The body members forming the cage for an air-treating material are apertured to emit air-treating vapors and are preferably generally cylindrical in shape to accommodate the mounting of a tissue paper roll. The apertures must be small enough to contain the air-treating material, but large enough in total to allow free movement of gases.
It is an object of this invention to provide an air-treating device overcoming the problems and disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved device for dispensing vapors for air treatment in the bathroom.
Another object of this invention is to provide an air-treating device which is inconspicuous.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved air-treating device which dispenses air-treating vapors continuously at a low rate and will provide increased air-treating vapors periodically as needed.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved air-treating device in the form of a freely rolling mount for a paper roll.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an air-treating device of the type described which will rotate freely regardless of the dimensions of the mounting device in which it is mounted, thereby increasing dispensing of air-treating vapors.
These and other important advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along Section 3--3 as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a disassembled perspective view indicating how the device is filled.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of one of the helical spring strands taken along section 5--5 as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a helical strand taken along section 6--6 as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of one end of FIG. 2.
The drawings illustrate a preferred vapor-dispensing paper roll holder 10. Vapor-dispensing paper roll holder 10 includes first and second body members 12 and 14, which together form an elongated cage 16. Cage 16 contains a large number of plastic beads 18 impregnated with a vaporizable air-treating substance. Plastic beads 18 are not shown in the figures, other than in FIG. 4.
Paper roll holder 10 is a rolling device mountable on and between opposed sockets, such as by suitable protuberances 22 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7. Paper roll holder 10 is designed to roll freely while mounted between mounting sockets of widely varying typical spacings. Such rolling action, which occurs when paper is withdrawn from a roll mounted on paper roll holder 10, causes beads 18 to tumble within cage 16. This action increases the outflow of air-treating vapors from cage 16.
The body members 12 and 14 are generally cylindrical in shape and define an axis along the length of paper roll holder 10. Each of the body members 12 and 14 has a somewhat convex end surface 20. As shown in FIG. 7, each end surface 20 has an axial protuberance 22 that extends a short distance to a distal end 24. The axial length of each protuberance 22 is less than its width. Protuberances 22 are generally cylindrical in shape. The convexity of end surface 20 and the short axial dimension of protuberances 22 serve to minimize the bearing surface of roll holder 10 with respect to the mounting sockets.
The first and second body members 12 and 14 each has an apertured end section 26. End sections 26 are similar in shape to each other, each including a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced bars 28 which are generally parallel to the axis of roll holder 10. Bars 28 are closely spaced, their spacings being less than the dimensions of beads 18 contained within cage 16. The spacings of bars 28 allow the emission of vapors from within cage 16.
Second body member 14 includes a cylindrical, non-apertured, section 30 of smaller diameter than section 26. Non-apertured section 30 is telescopically received within end section 26 of first body member 12. End section 26 of first body member 12 has an annular rim 32 which projects radially inwardly. Non-apertured section 30 has radially projecting stops 36 near open end 34 which engage annular rim 32 to hold first body member 12 in engagement with second body member 14.
Second body member 14 has an annular edge 38 at the juncture of non-apertured section 30 and its end section 26. Three helical spring strands 40 extend from annular rim 32 of first body member 12 to a spring-bearing ring 42. Spring-bearing ring 42 engages annular edge 38 of second body member 14 and such engagement tends to spread body members 12 and 14 to a relative axial adjustment. Spring 40 is compressible between annular rim 32 of first body member 12 and annular edge 38 of second body member 14. Thus, spring 40 allows the relative axial positions of first and second body members 12 and 14 to be adjusted such that paper roll holder 10 can be mounted between opposed mounted sockets of various spacings.
Spring strands 40 have varying cross-sectional areas at different positions along their lengths. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cross-sectional area of spring strand 40 is greater near the middle of the strand length (see FIG. 5) than it is near the ends thereof (see FIG. 6). Such variation in the spring strand dimensions allows greater compression of spring 40 without abnormal distortion. Thus, a spring of relatively small axial dimension can provide substantial adjustment of the relative axial positions of first and second body members 12 and 14.
Each of the body members 12 and 14 is preferably an integrally molded structure. Thus, first body member 12, including its protuberance 22, end section 26, annular rim 32, spring strands 40, and spring-bearing ring 42, is a single molded piece. Likewise, second body member 14, including its protuberance 22, end section 26, annular edge 38, and non-apertured section 30, is a single molded structure.
Spring 40 is made of a material which undergoes stress relaxation such that its spreading force drops readily to near zero for whatever spacing the spring has accommodated when paper roll holder 10 is mounted. It is preferred that spring 40 be made of a polyolefinic material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and copolymers thereof. Other acceptable materials for spring 40 will be apparent to those skilled in the art who are familiar with this invention. Polypropylene is most preferred. Such materials allow spring 40 to relax (or "flow") to a new set within about one day. Thus, paper roll holder 10 will readily turn in its mount as paper is withdrawn from the paper roll mounted thereon. Then, when the paper roll mount must be removed and remounted during replacement of a paper roll, spring 40 will contract and expand as required to allow successful remounting, but will not expand beyond (or much beyond) the "set" that it took when first placed in a given wall mount.
Beads 18 within cage 16 are impregnated plastic. Such beads may be perfumed composites of ethylene and polarmonomer copolymers, such as vinyl acetate and ethyl acrylate. Methods for preparing such beads are well known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,031, entitled "PERFUME COPOLYMERS OF ETHYLENE AND POLARMONOMER" issued in the name of Edward Jacob Engle on June 13, 1978. The exact composition of such impregnated plastic beads does not form a part of this invention.
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
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| Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
| Jul 25 1983 | S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
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