|Publication number||US8113400 B1|
|Application number||US 12/255,286|
|Publication date||Feb 14, 2012|
|Filing date||Oct 21, 2008|
|Priority date||Dec 20, 2007|
|Publication number||12255286, 255286, US 8113400 B1, US 8113400B1, US-B1-8113400, US8113400 B1, US8113400B1|
|Original Assignee||Peter Santolalla|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (12), Referenced by (5), Classifications (13), Legal Events (3)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This Non-Provisional Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/015,225, filed Dec. 20, 2007, which is incorporated herein within its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to food storage wrap dispensers in general and, more particularly, to a single dispensing apparatus for both plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
This invention relates to a dispenser for rolled sheet goods, such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil, wax paper, and the like, and more particularly relates to a wall mountable or countertop dispenser for a plurality of rolled sheet goods.
Food wrap materials are packaged in dispensing rolls and placed within paper or cardboard rectangular shaped box. The lid on each box opens providing the user with access to the dispensing roll. The wrap material is pulled forward over a cutting edge located atop a front wall.
A variety of rolled sheet goods, such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil, wax paper and the like are used in kitchens. These sheet goods are generally manufactured as a continuous sheet and packaged on rolls placed in elongated rectangular boxes. The boxes generally have a hinged lid, and the end of the sheet goods is extended between the flap of the lid and a front wall of the rectangular box. The goods are unrolled and torn off, against a serrated metal strip affixed at the top of the front wall.
The wrap is provided in individual boxes. The boxes are not conducive to being stored in a manner desirable for ease of access and use. The rectangular boxes containing the rolled sheet goods are normally stored in kitchen drawers or cabinets, dictating a need for storage space within in drawers or cabinets. More importantly, the rolled sheet goods are not readily accessible when needed.
Several teachings provide dispensing apparatus for food storage sheet goods. Meisner, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,563) presents a dispensing body comprising a containment space for a full roll of sheet material. Meisner is limited by the design, only allowing for the storage and dispensing of a single roll of sheet material. It is desirable to provide a plurality of sheet material types when working in the kitchen. Meisner cannot achieve that desire.
Brandon (U.S. Pat. No. 3,311,278) teaches a dispensing apparatus for food storage sheet goods comprising an outer clamp (36) pivotally assembled to the top of the housing. Brandon, like Meisner, is limited by the design, only allowing for the storage and dispensing of a single roll of sheet material. It is desirable to provide a plurality of sheet material types when working in the kitchen. Brandon cannot achieve that desire.
Several teachings present a dispensing apparatus capable of dispensing a plurality of different sheet goods. Cayer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,929) teaches a plurality of sheet material rolls placed vertically in a dispenser, each being dispensed at a respective corner of the apparatus. The design is limited by several factors: (1) The design is not conducive to being horizontally oriented. The user must turn the unit in order to dispense two or more of the sheet goods; (2) The design can not be wall mounted, and (3) Structurally, the slot must run the entire length of the side walls weakening the overall housing.
Kosa (U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,259) teaches a multi-sheet roll dispensing apparatus, the dispenser using two parallel side walls for holding each of the sheet rolls. Kosa is limited by the design, dictating that all of the rolls must be of the same width. The rolls are exposed, which is not desirable for food storage materials. Additionally, the design dictates that the apparatus be mounted for use.
Geleziunas (U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,310) teaches a sheet roll dispensing apparatus defined as having an elongated chamber that opens at the front. Geleziunas is limited by the design, wherein the cutting edge (74) is disposed upon the hinged lid (6). This design dictates the user to pull the sheet goods outward in a downward motion, then outward for a cutting step. The outward force can potentially lift the hinged lid.
Ideally, it is desirable to provide a storage apparatus for containing and dispensing a plurality of food storage wraps. The storage apparatus should be aesthetically pleasing and of a form factor that is functionally equal or better than the originally provided box.
The present invention is directed to a storage and dispensing apparatus for food wraps, more specifically a dispensing compartment comprising a first compartment for receiving and dispensing a roll of plastic wrap and a second compartment for receiving and dispensing a roll of aluminum foil.
A dispenser for rolled sheet goods according to the invention herein generally comprises a housing receiving at least one and preferably a plurality of rolled sheet goods in a horizontal orientation, with the housing defining a horizontal slot for each roll of sheet goods through which the sheet goods is dispensed. The desired amount of the sheet goods is drawn from the roll through the slot in the housing, the roll rotating within the goods containing section. A pair of end caps can be inserted into each end of the roll, the end caps providing a resistance and prevents it from turning, thereby preventing additional amounts of sheet goods from being dispensed and permitting the sheet goods to be pulled into tensioned condition and torn off at the edge of the slot. The edge of the vertical slot may be sufficiently sharp, preferably comprising a serrated cutting edge to facilitate cutting of the sheet goods.
In one preferred embodiment, each compartment within the housing is approximately square, the housing having interior partitions defining two vertical compartments each receiving one roll of sheet goods whereby the rolls of sheet goods The upper compartment comprising a front wall that is angled projecting outward towards the top. A shearing edge is disposed along the top edge of the front wall. An access lid is disposed along the top of the upper compartment. The lower compartment comprising a bottom floor comprising a horizontal slot. A cutting edge carrier is attached to an underside of the bottom floor located parallel to and forward of the slot.
The dispensers efficiently store and make readily available a plurality of rolls of sheet goods in an attractive countertop or wall mount unit.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention herein to provide a dispenser for rolled sheet goods.
It is a further object of the invention herein to provide a dispenser for a plurality of rolls of sheet goods in an attractive unit adapted for countertop or wall mounted use.
Yet another aspect of the invention herein provides a dispenser for rolled sheet goods that is fabricated of few parts with simple construction, and is easy to operate and load.
Yet another aspect provides a dispenser that incorporates a simple, easy, repeatable, and safe means for cutting the sheet goods.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a storage and dispensing apparatus comprising a lower cartridge containing section comprising a front access door member providing access to the containing section.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a storage and dispensing apparatus comprising an upper cartridge containing section comprising a top access door member providing access to the containing section.
Yet another aspect assembles access door member to the housing via a hingeable coupling interface.
Yet another aspect assembles access door member to the housing via a slideable coupling interface.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings.
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Turning to the drawings,
The upper cartridge compartment section 118 is fabricated in a shape of an elongated rectangular box, having a upper cartridge compartment end wall 120 on each of the two sides, a upper cartridge compartment access door 124 assembled to a top of the upper cartridge compartment section 118 and a upper cartridge compartment front wall 122 assembled to a front of the upper cartridge compartment section 118. The upper cartridge compartment section 118 further comprises a bottom and a rear wall section (not shown but understood by description). The upper cartridge compartment access door 124 can be hingably assembled to the upper cartridge compartment section 118, providing access to an interior compartment of the upper cartridge compartment section 118 via a upper door motion 130. An upper cartridge dispensing gap 126 is formed between the upper cartridge compartment access door 124 and the upper cartridge compartment front wall 122, wherein the upper cartridge dispensing gap 126 provides a port for dispensing of the rolled sheet goods. An upper serrated edge 128 is affixed onto a top edge of the upper cartridge compartment front wall 122. The upper cartridge compartment front wall 122 is angled, providing a guide and geometry conducive for the shearing of the rolled sheet goods via the upper serrated edge 128. Housing magnets 140 are affixed to either the upper cartridge compartment end wall 120 or the upper cartridge compartment front wall 122 of the upper cartridge compartment section 118. Door magnets 142 are affixed to the upper cartridge compartment access door 124 at a location that aligns with the fixed magnets 140, when the upper cartridge compartment access door 124 is placed in a closed orientation. The upper cartridge compartment access door 124 is secured in a closed configuration via magnetic attraction between the housing magnets 140 and each respective door magnet 142.
A sheets good food wrap cartridge assembly 150 is assembled by inserting a pair of cartridge end caps 160 into a sheet goods core center 156 on each end of a sheet goods tubular core 154 as illustrated in
The insertion and dispensing of the food wrap sheet goods 152 is presented in
Additional illustrations of the dual food storage sheet goods dispenser 100 are presented in
An alternate access door having a sliding interface is presented in
The dual food storage sheet goods dispenser 100 is fabricated of any known material, including but not limited to wood, plastic, composite, metal, and any combination therein. Each of the walls: lower cartridge compartment end wall 102, lower cartridge compartment access door 104, lower cartridge compartment bottom 110, upper cartridge compartment end wall 120, upper cartridge compartment front wall 122, and upper cartridge compartment access door 124, as well as a back and a center member are fabricated individually and jointed using a method respective to the material. Each of the right and left end walls 102, 120, can optionally be fabricated as a single member.
Yet another method for manufacturing can be accomplished via an extrusion process. The back (rear) member (not shown but understood), bottom 110, upper to lower cartridge horizontal divider (located between the upper and lower cartridge compartments), and the upper cartridge front wall 122 can be extruded as one member. The extrusion is then cut to length, whereby the two end walls are assembled. The extrusion can include fastener receiving features, which are well known in the extrusion industry. The slot 112 is then cut into the bottom 110 via a tool and die process, machined using any machining process, or formed via any other known process. The access doors 104, 124 are fabricated and assembled to the housing extrusion. The magnetic closure components 140, 142 are fastened to the assembly via an adhesive. The cutting edges 108, 128 are assembled in accordance with the embodiments presented herein.
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|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US8967440||May 11, 2012||Mar 3, 2015||James Chang||Wrapping film dispenser|
|US20110215129 *||Mar 2, 2010||Sep 8, 2011||Mcguigan Michael B||Material wrap dispenser|
|US20120074161 *||Mar 29, 2012||Sotiria Efthimiadis||Dispenser for roll materials|
|US20120074193 *||Jul 18, 2011||Mar 29, 2012||Sotiria Efthimiadis||Dispenser for roll materials|
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|U.S. Classification||225/34, 225/38, 242/594.4, 225/6, 83/650|
|Cooperative Classification||Y10T225/20, B65H35/0006, Y10T83/902, Y10T225/237, Y10T225/232, B65H2701/1752|
|Sep 25, 2015||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|Feb 14, 2016||LAPS||Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
|Apr 5, 2016||FP||Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee|
Effective date: 20160214