CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[1] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 1 19 to the United States Provision Patent Application US 61/418,914, filed on December 2, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[2] The present invention generally relates to a supply roll engagement system which is useable in a sheet material dispenser which dispenses sheet material from a rolled web material product, such as a paper towel or toilet tissue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[3] Dispensers have become more specialized and are being designed by manufacturers to dispense a sheet material from a roll of a particular web material product. As a result, the dispenser's operation is optimized for a particular rolled product or suite of rolled products. If a different rolled product, for example a rolled product of a different product manufacturer, is inserted into the dispenser, the dispenser may not function properly. For example, the product may become jammed in the dispenser or the cutter blade in the dispenser will not properly cut the product being dispensed. This can be a problem for the manufacturer of the dispenser, since the dispenser will be perceived as a low quality dispenser when the rolled product does not dispense properly; or it could be a problem for the manufacturer of the rolled product being dispensed, the rolled product could be perceived as being inferior.

[4] In the case of electronic hands-free dispensers, the manufacturer of the electronic hands-free dispensers wants to use a motor which is an appropriate size to dispense the rolled product the dispenser is designed to dispense. By having a motor which is appropriately sized, the power needed to dispense a sheet from the rolled product is kept to a minimum. If the motor is too big, the power consumption of the dispenser will be higher than needed to dispense the sheet material. If the motor is too small for a given sheet material, the motor may be damaged during the dispensing operation. In addition, as is the case with a motor that is too large, the energy needed to dispense a sheet material with a motor that is too small will also be larger than needed.

[5] Further, a supply roll of web material may be inserted into the dispenser one of two ways, web-front or web-back. Web-front is when the web material is feed to the dispensing rollers of the dispenser such that the web material comes from the supply roll closer to the front of the dispenser. In web-back, the web material comes from the supply roll closer to the back of the dispenser. Each individual dispenser may be optimized for a web-front configuration or a web-back configuration. In some cases, if the web material is placed in the dispenser in an incorrect orientation, the web material may become torn or may become jammed in the dispensing mechanism. There is a need in the art to ensure that the roll of a web material, such as paper towels or toilet tissue, is properly placed in the dispenser to prevent unwanted jams and tears in the sheet material.

[6] Core plugs or roll caps have been inserted into rolls of a sheet material for various reasons. Many times, the core plugs will have a specialty shape, such as is shown in U.S. Patent 7,364,1 12 to Formon. However, these specialty shapes make it difficult to properly install the roll of the web material in the dispenser. Such specialty shapes require the installer of the web material to properly align the shape on the core plug with complementary receiving shape on the support. This process can be time consuming which could cause a restroom to be unavailable for use for an extended period of time.

[7] As a result there is a need in the art for a roll support system in which a new roll of web material can be easily installed, and/or which will provide proper alignment of the roll of the web material in the dispenser, and/or provide guidance to the installer that the proper web material is being placed in the dispenser. There also is a need in the art to ensure that the roll of a web material, such as paper towel or toilet tissue, is properly placed in the dispenser to prevent unwanted jams and tears in the sheet material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[8] Generally stated, the present invention provides a roll support system for a rolled web material dispenser which ensures that the proper rolled web material is installed in the dispenser and that the rolled web material is properly aligned in the dispenser.

[9] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a roll holder for a rolled product to be dispensed from a dispenser, the roll holder having a support with an internal side and a first surface. A boss is disposed on the internal side of the support, where the boss extends outwardly from the first surface. The boss having a central axis and the boss is configured to engage a lumen. The support will further have engagement barrier disposed on the internal side of the support. The engagement barrier being spaced apart from the boss and the engagement barrier will have at least one arced wall extending outwardly from the first surface. This arced wall is concentric with the central axis of the boss. The arced wall and the boss form a channel which is positioned between the arced wall and the boss. The engagement barrier extends away from the channel such that the engagement barrier inhibits the support from engaging a lumen having a diameter larger than a diameter of the arced wall as measured through the central axis of the boss.

[10] In another embodiment of the present invention, provided is a roll holder system for a rolled product to be dispensed from a dispenser. The roll holder system has a support and a roll cap. The roll cap is inserted into the core of a rolled product, which is a roll of a web material, where the roll cap is designed to engage the support, such that the support holds the rolled product in the dispenser. The support is described above in the first embodiment of the present invention. The rolled product has a first end and a second end, and a central axis extending from the first end to the second end. Each end of the rolled product has an opening axially aligned with the central axis of the rolled product. At least one end of the rolled product has a roll cap axially inserted into of the openings of that end. The roll cap has a central axis and the roll cap being adapted to rotatably engage the support. The roll cap has a base plate with a first side and a second side. At least one roll contacting member extending outwardly from the roll cap which will engage the rolled product near the opening of the rolled product. The second side of base plate has a hub axially aligned in the central axis of the roll cap extending outward from the second side. Located within the hub is a lumen which at least partially extends through the hub. The lumen being axially aligned in the central axis of the roll cap. The hub and lumen are sized such that the hub and lumen rotatably fit into the channel of the support.

[11] Another embodiment of the present invention is a rolled product of a web material having a roll cap inserted into at least one end of the rolled product.

Generally, the rolled product will have a first end and a second end, and a central axis extending from the first end to the second end. Each end of the rolled product has an opening axially aligned with the central axis of the rolled product. At least one end of the rolled product has a roll cap axially inserted into the openings of that end. The roll cap has a central axis and the roll cap being adapted to rotatably engage the support. The roll cap has a base plate with a first side and a second side. At least one roll contacting member extending outwardly from the roll cap which will engage the rolled product near the opening of the rolled product. The second side of base plate has a hub axially aligned in the central axis of the roll cap extending outward from the second side. Located within the hub is a lumen which at least partially extends through the hub. The lumen being axially aligned in the central axis of the roll cap. The hub and lumen are sized such that the hub and lumen rotatably fit into the channel of the support.

[12] In a further embodiment of the present invention a web material dispenser coordination system. The system has at least a first and a second web material dispenser, each dispenser having a roll holder. The roll holder for each dispenser of the system has a support having an internal side and a first surface. A boss disposed on the internal side of the support, where the boss extends outwardly from the first surface of the support. The boss having a central axis, a diameter D _b and the boss is configured to engage a lumen of a roll cap. The support also has an engagement barrier disposed on the internal side of the support. This engagement barrier is spaced apart from the boss. The engagement barrier having at least one arced structure proximate the boss, and the arced structure extends outwardly from the first surface of the support. The arced structure is also concentric with the central axis of the boss; The arced structure and the boss form a channel which is positioned between the arced structure wall and the boss. The arced structure has a diameter D _a, , as measured through the central axis of the boss, and the engagement barrier extends away from the channel such that the engagement barrier inhibits the support from engaging a hub and lumen having a diameter larger than D _a . The system further has a first and second corresponding roll cap adapted to be inserted in a rolled product and to rotatably engage the support of the first and second dispenser respectively, the each corresponding roll cap for each dispenser of the system has a base plate with a first side and a second side. At least one roll contacting member extending outwardly from the roll cap which will engage the rolled product near the opening of the rolled product. The second side of base plate has a hub axially aligned in the central axis of the roll cap extending outward from the second side. The hub has an outer diameter of D _h . Located within the hub is a lumen which at least partially extends through the hub. The lumen being axially aligned in the central axis of the roll cap. The lumen has an inner diameter of D|. The hub and lumen are sized such that the hub and lumen rotatably fit into the channel of the support and D _a > D _h > D| > D _b . The first dispenser has a boss with a diameter D _b i , an arced structure with a diameter D _a i and the first corresponding roll cap having a hub outer diameter D _h i and a lumen with an inner diameter of D _M . The second dispenser has a boss with a diameter D _b2 , an arced structure with a diameter D _a2 and the second corresponding roll cap having a hub outer diameter D _h2 and a lumen with an inner diameter of D| ₂ . In the system,

DM . > Di ₂ ;

DM > D _h2

D _a i > D _a2

[13] In a further embodiment, the web dispenser coordination system has additional dispensers. The third dispenser has a boss with a diameter D _B 3, an arced structure with a diameter D _A 3 and the third corresponding roll cap having a hub outer diameter Dh3 and a lumen with an inner diameter of DB. In the system with the additional dispenser and roll cap, the following relationship between the parts of the system are:

D _b i > D _b2 > D _b3

DM > D _h2 > D _h3

D _a i > D _a2 > D _a3 [14] In a further embodiment of the present invention, provided is an adapter for converting a roll holder having an engagement barrier to a roll holder which will accept a roll of web material with a different roll cap or without a roll cap. The engagement barrier serves to limit the roll holder's ability to only accept a roll of web material without a particular roll cap and the adapter converts the roll holder with an engagement means to a standard roll holder for holding a roll of a web material. The adapter has a first end and an opposite second end, the second end being adapted to be adjacent the roll holder having an engagement barrier, such that the adapter at least partially covers an engagement barrier on a roll holder. The first end and the second end being joined to one another by a connecting surface, such that the first end is offset from the second end, and the first end is extended away from the roll holder. The adapter is held in place to the roll holder by a connecting means.

[15] By providing the roll holder, the roll holder system and coordination system of the present invention, drawbacks of the conventional mentioned in the background of the invention are minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[16] FIG 1 shows a perspective view of the roll engagement system of the present invention.

[17] FIGS 2A and 2B show a perspective view of the roll holder of the present invention

[18] FIGS 3A, 3B and 3C show alternative configurations for the boss on the roll holder.

[19] FIGS 4 shows an alternative configuration for the engagement barrier having multiply arced walls

[20] FIGS 5A and 5B show an alternative for the engagement barrier having multiple structures.

[21] FIG 6 shows a second side view of the roll cap.

[22] FIG 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a roll holder engaged with a roll cap.

[23] FIG 8 shows a perspective exploded view rolled product having a roll cap inserted in one end of the rolled product. [24] FIG 9 shows a perspective view of the interior of dispenser containing a roll holder of the present invention.

[25] FIG 10 shows a system of different roll caps having different sized lumens.

[26] FIG 1 1 shows an adapter to convert the roll holder to a standard holder.

[27] FIG 12 shows the adapter in relation to the roll holder.

[28] FIG 13 shows the adapter engaging the roll holder.

[29] FIG 14 shows an alternative embodiment for the roll holder having engagement features for the adapter.

DEFINITIONS

[30] It should be noted that, when employed in the present disclosure, the terms "comprises", "comprising" and other derivatives from the root term "comprise" are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features, elements, integers, steps, or components, and are not intended to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[31] As used herein, the term "arced" or "arc" means a portion of an annular structure, including an entire annular structure.

[32] As used herein, the term "arced structure" mean structure that has shape resembling an arc of a circle, including the entire circle.

[33] As used herein, the term "above" means position at an elevation higher than the compared item in relationship to the ground.

[34] As used herein, the term "extends outwardly" is intended that the object being discussed projects from a surface away from the surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[35] To gain a better understanding of the present invention, attention is directed to the Figures of the present specification.

[36] The present invention is directed to a roll support engagement system 10, as is exemplified in FIG 1 . One particular use for the system is in rolled web material dispensers. The invention will be described in terms of the rolled web material dispenser; however, the system could be used in other applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The roll support engagement system 10 has two main components, the roll holder 12 and the roll cap 14. The roll holder 12 and the roll cap 14 of the roll engagement system 10 fit together in a cooperative manner to solve the problems in the art stated above. Each component of the system 10 will be first describe individually and then described in terms of the system.

[37] The roll holder 12 has a support 20, which serves to hold a rolled product in a rolled product dispenser. The support has an internal side 22, which is the side of the support 20 that will be adjacent to the rolled product when the roll product is inserted into the dispenser containing the roll holder 12. This internal side 22 of the support 20 has a first surface 24. Disposed on the first surface 24 are a boss 26 and an engagement barrier 28. Both the boss 26 and the engagement barrier 28 extend a distance outwardly from the first surface 24 of the support 20.

[38] The boss 26 is a structure which is configured to receive a lumen and engage a lumen, such that the lumen engaging the boss is free to rotate about the boss 26. The boss 26 has an imaginary central axis 30 which extends outwardly from the first surface 24 in the direction in which the boss 26 extends from the first surface 24 of the support 20. The imaginary central axis 30 will be used in the specification as the basis to describe the relationship between the boss 26 and the engagement barrier 28.

[39] As is shown in FIG 1 , the boss 26 is a cylindrical structure; however, the boss 26 can have other shapes provided that the boss will accept and engage a lumen and the lumen can freely rotate around the boss 26. The shape of the boss 26 may an irregular shape, non-circular shape, as is shown in FIGS 3A and 3C The boss 26 can be a single structure, as shown in FIGS 1 , 2A, 2B, 3A or 3C or can be combinations of structures, shown in FIG 3B as structures 26', 26", 26"' and 26"". In either case, the boss 26 will have generally annular configuration that will allow a lumen to rotatably turn on the boss 26. The boss 26 further has a diameter D _b measured from one side of the boss 26 to the other and through the central axis of the boss. As can be seen in FIG 2A and 2B, the diameter of the boss D _b may be varied within the scope of the present invention. In the case where the boss 26 is an irregular shape, such as is shown in FIGS 3A or 3C, the diameter is measured through the central axis 30 to an imaginary circle 31 which will contact the furthest reaches of the boss 26. The diameter Db Of the boss 26 and its function will be discussed in more detail below.

[40] An engagement barrier 28 extends outwardly from the first surface 24 of internal side 22 of the support 20. The engagement barrier 28 serves to limit the size of a lumen which can be used to mount a rolled product on the support 20. This engagement barrier 28 is spaced apart from the boss 26, as can be clearly seen in FIGS 1 , 2A and 2B. The engagement barrier 28 has at least one arced structure 32 which is proximate the boss 26, but spaced apart from the boss 26. The arc structure 32 extends upwardly from the first surface 24. This arced structure 32 is concentric with the central axis 30 of the boss 26 in the entire portion of the arc. As such, the arced structure 32 has a minimum diameter D _a , shown if FIGS 2A and 2B, such that the minimum diameter D _a of the arced structure 32 is larger than the diameter D _b of the boss 26. In the event that the arced structure 32 is less than 180° of arc, the diameter D _a is measured as twice the minimum radius r _a, as is shown in FIG 7.

[41] A channel 36 is formed the arced structure 32 and the boss 26, in the space between the engagement barrier 28 and the boss 26. The engagement barrier 28 extends away the channel 36 and the boss 26. The channel 36 will generally have an arc shape resembling the arced structure 32. The portions of the arced structure 32 which forms the channel 36, serve to allow a lumen to engage the boss 26. The arced structure 32 of the engagement barrier 28 also serves to limit the outer diameter of a hub, in which a lumen is contained, which will be able to engage the boss 26 and the boss 26 serves to limit the inner diameter of that lumen. This will be explained in more detail below. The difference in the minimum diameter D _a of the arced structure 32 and the diameter D _b of the boss 26 is the width W of the channel 36.

[42] The arced structure 32 may have an arced wall 34, as is shown in FIGS 1 , 2A and 2B. Although shown as a continuous arced wall 34, the arced wall could be a series of arced walls 34', 34" and 34"' as is shown in FIG 4. Alternatively, as is shown in FIG 5A and 5B, the arced structure 32 may be formed by a series of separate structures 33, which are arranged to be spaced from the boss 26 at the proximate end 35 of each structure 33 at a distance with is approximately the same or the same as the other structures 33. The proximate end 35 of each structure which is approximately the same distance from the boss 26 forms the arced structure 32. Typically, the arced structure 32 will be a continuous arced wall 34, similar to that shown in FIG 1 , since a hub with a lumen in the channel 36 will more than likely rotate more freely with the arced walls 34 as compared to the series of separated structures.

[43] The engagement barrier 28 has, in addition to the at least one arced structure 32, a structure that inhibits the support 20 from supporting a hub with a lumen having a diameter larger than the diameter D _a of the arced structure 32, as measured through the central axis 30 of the boss 26. Any structure that can prevent a roll having core or a core plug (roll cap) with a lumen having larger that the diameter of the arced wall 34 may be used. The engagement barrier 28 can a single structure, as is shown in FIGS 1 , 2A and 2B or may be a series of structures, as is shown in FIGS 4, 5A and 5B. One particular structure found to be useful is an incline plane 38, as is shown in FIGS 1 , 2A and 2B. In one embodiment, the incline plane 38 extends outwardly from the first surface 24 of the support 20 to the arced wall 34 and is shown in FIGS 1 and 2. Generally, the arced wall 34 is where the incline plane 38 terminates and, at the arced wall 34, the incline plane 38 is at its furthest distance from the first surface 24. Alternatively, as is shown in FIGS 5A and 5B, the engagement barrier 28 may be a series of structures 33. As shown in FIGS 5A and 5B, the series of structures 33 are also angled in a fin-like

configuration extending outward from the first surface 24, to the proximate end 35 each structure 33. Generally, the series of structures 33 can take other forms, provided that the series of structure 33 does not allow a core or a core plug of a rolled product to effectively be supported the support 20, if the diameter is larger than the diameter D _a of the arced wall 34.

[44] The inclined plane 38, which is also shown in FIG 5B should be selected such that the angle 88 of the incline plane 38, relative to an imaginary line 90 which is parallel with the central axis 30 of boss 26, is greater than about 20°, as measured directly above the boss 26 in an imaginary line which is parallel to the central axis 30 of the boss 26. Generally, the angle 88 will be between about 25° and 80°. Typically, the angle 88 will be between about 45° and 75°. The steeper the incline of the incline plane 38, the less likely the support 20 will effectively support a roll of product having a core or core plug where the core or core plug has diameter greater than the diameter D _a of the arced structure 32. The degree of the angle 88 is not critical to the present invention, so long as a core or a core plug will not be effectively supported by the support 20, if the core plug does not have the corresponding diameter to the fit in the channel 36 between the boss 26 and the arced wall 34. It is noted that the fin like structure 33 shown in FIGS 5A and 5B may also have a similar angle of inclined feature 38.

[45] Engagement barrier 28 can be located at any position around the boss 36. As is shown in FIG 4, there are three separate engagement barrier sections 29', 29" and 29"'. These three separate engagement barrier sections 29', 29" and 29"' have three separate arced walls 34', 34" and 34"'. The arced walls 34', 34" and 34"' form a channel 36 between the boss 26 and each of the engagement barrier sections 29', 29", and 29"'. The actual location of the engagement barrier 28 is not critical to the present invention, so long as the support 20 will not allow a rolled product having a core or a core plug with a diameter larger than the diameter of the arced wall to be effectively supported by the support 20. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the engagement barrier 28 is in the form of an arch above the boss 26. By "above" it is intended that when the support is placed in a dispenser, the engagement barrier 28 will be above the boss 26, relative to the ground. This is shown in FIGS 1 , 2A and 2B. By having the engagement barrier 28 above the boss 26, the engagement barrier 28 can use the effects of gravity to assist keeping an improper roll of product from being installed in the dispenser, especially when the engagement barrier 28 contains an incline plane 38. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention the, the engagement barrier 28 is in the form of a semicircle or arch above the boss 26, as is shown in FIGS 1 , 2A and 2B. The semicircle or arch needs to be only as large as needed to prevent engagement of an improper roll of product having a core or core plug, where the diameter of the core or core plug is larger than the diameter of the arced wall 34. As shown in FIGS 1 and 2, the engagement barrier 28 is in the shape of an arch having over 180° of arc. The degrees of arc of the arch can be as low as about 20-30° and sill be effective as an engagement barrier.

Typically, however the arc of the arced wall 34 may be between about 90° and about 220°, and is preferably located above the boss 26, as is shown in FIGS 1 and 2. [46] Another aspect of the present invention is a roll cap 14, which is to be inserted into a roll of a web material, so that a roll of the web material may be supported by roll holder 12. Referring to FIGS 1 , 6A and 6B, the roll cap 14, also referred to in the art as a "core plug", has a base plate 43, where the base plate 43 has a first side 41 , which is visible in FIG 1 , and a second side 42, which is visible in FIGS 6A and 6B. Generally, the first side 41 will be the side of the roll cap 14 that will be inserted into the roll of web material. The second side 42 is the side of the roll cap 14 which will be visible when the roll cap 14 is inserted into the roll of web material. The roll cap 14 will generally have an annular structure and will have a central axis 30'.

[47] The base plate 43 may be a solid structure (not shown), a solid structure with cut-outs or holes placed therein, or may be a spoke-like structure, as is shown in the FIGS 1 , 6A and 6B of the specification. In the present invention, the actual structure of the base plate 43 does not matter; however, a base plate 43 with cutouts or holes therein or having a spoke like structure are more economical to manufacture. In addition, a base plate 43 with spokes 47 can be advantageous since the spokes contain lines of weakness 49, shown in FIG 6B, which may effectively prevent the roll caps 14 from being removed in one piece once installed into a core of a roll of the web material. Generally, the lines of weakness 49 are frangible and will tend to separate when the roll cap is attempted to be removed from a core of a rolled web material.

[48] The roll cap 14 will further have at least one roll contacting member 46, as is shown in FIG 1 . The roll contacting members 46 are adapted to hold the roll cap 14 into a roll of web material. The roll contacting members 46 may be any shape that allows the roll cap 14 to be easily inserted into a roll of web material. In addition, the roll contacting members 46 should also make it difficult to remove the roll cap 14 from the roll of web material. As is shown in FIG 1 , the roll contacting members 46 may have a fin-like structure, with an inclined portion 47 which will facilitate insertion of the roll cap 14 into the roll of web material. Other similar structures may be used, for example, the web contacting member 46 may be a single continuous structure, such as a conical shape. The actual size and shape of the roll contacting members 46 is not critical to the present invention, provided that the roll contacting members 46 will facilitate easy insertion into the roll of web material, will engage the roll of web material and will hold the roll cap 14 in the roll of web material, while being difficult to remove from the roll of web material.

[49] On the second side 42 of the base plate 43, there is a hub 48 extending outwardly from the second side 42. The hub 48 is located such that the hub is concentrically or axially aligned with the central axis 30' of the roll cap 14. The hub 48 generally has a cylindrical shape. In addition, the hub 48 will have a lumen 50 located within the hub 48 and the lumen 50 is also concentrically or axially aligned with the central axis 30' of the roll cap 14. The lumen 50 has a generally annular and cylindrical shape. The lumen 50 will at least partially extend into the hub 48. Alternatively, the lumen 50 may extend entirely through the hub 48 along the central axis 30', as is shown in FIG 6A and 6B. In any event, it does not matter to the present invention whether the lumen 50 extends entirely through the hub 48, so long as the lumen 50 will rotatably engage the boss 26 of the roll holder 12 and support the weight of the rolled web material in the dispenser in which the support 12 is mounted. The lumen 50 will have an inner diameter D| that is slightly larger than the diameter D _b of the boss 26 of the support 12 in which the roll cap 14 is intended to engage. That way, the lumen 50 will be able to effectively rotate about the boss 26 of the support. In addition, the hub 48 will have an outer diameter D _h which is slight smaller that the diameter D _a of the arced structure 32 of the support, so that the roll cap 14 will engage the roll holder 12. As such, in order for the roll cap 14 to fit on the support, the following equation must be true:

D _a > D _h > D| > D _b

If the diameter D _h of the hub 48 of the roll cap 14 or the diameter D| of the lumen 50 are outside this relationship, the roll cap 14 will not properly engage the support 10 and a rolled web material in which the roll cap 14 is inserted cannot be properly dispensed from a dispenser.

[50] The roll cap 14 can contain additional features. In one embodiment, the roll cap 14 has an outer rim 44. This outer rim 44 is annular in structure and is axially aligned with the central axis 30' of the roll cap 14. The outer rim 44 is offset from the second side 42 of the base plate 43 and is extended outwardly in the same direction as the hub 48. Connecting the outer rim 44 to the base plate 43 of the roll cap 14 is at least one rim connecting member 52. The rim connecting member 52 extends outwardly from the second side 42 of the roll cap 14. The rim connecting member 52 may be a single continuous member, forming an inner rim like structure (not shown), or may be a series of rim connecting members 52, which form segments of a rim, as is shown in FIG 1 . The rim connecting members 52 may be joined to both the first side 41 and the second side 42 of the roll cap 14 for stability and strength.

[51] The outer rim 44 serves to limit the distance the roll cap 14 can be inserted into a roll of a web material. The outer rim 44 will have a flange structure 45 or lip that will served to contact the roll of web material in which the roll cap 14 is inserted and prevent the roll cap 14 from being insert any further when the flange structure 45 of the outer rim is reach during the insertion process. As such, the outer rim 44 will have an outer diameter D _r that will be larger than the diameter of the core of the web material in which the roll 14 cap is inserted. When the outer rim 44 contacts the core of the roll of web material, the roll cap 14 is stopped by the flange structure 45, thereby preventing the roll cap 14 from being insert too far in the core.

[52] The outer rim 44 is offset from the base plate 43 about the same distance that the hub 48 with the lumen 50 extends outwardly from the second side of the base plate 43. In addition, between the hub 48, the outer rim 44 and rim

connecting members 52, is a open space or cavity 54. This open space or cavity 54 allows the roll cap 14 to fit over the engagement barrier 28 of the support 20, thereby allowing effective engagement of the roll cap 14 with the support and effectively avoiding the engagement barrier 28 as can be clearly seen in FIG 7. FIG 7 clearly shows how the diameters of each of the boss 26, the lumen 50, the hub 48 and the arced structure are critical to the present invention. It is noted that the diameter of the arced structure is twice the radius r _a . That is 2r _a = D _a.

Generally, without this space or cavity 54, the roll cap 14 would not be able to effectively engage the support 20, when the roll cap 14 was inserted into a roll of web material, when the outer rim 44 is present.

[53] The rim connecting members 52 may serve another purpose in addition to connecting the outer rim 44 to the base plate. The side 53 of the rim connecting members 52 away from the hub 48 may contain the roll contacting member 46, described above, positioned thereon. Generally, the roll contacting member 46 extend radially away from the side 53 of the rim connecting members 52 and the central axis 30' of the roll cap 14. By positioning the roll contacting members 46 on the rim connecting members, the roll contacting members 46 can be positioned as close to the outer rim 44 as possible. This provides for more stability for the roll contacting members 46 to securely hold the roll cap in a roll of web material.

[54] The roll cap 14 may be prepared from a wide variety of material including plastic materials, metal materials, cardboard and the like, provided that the material is durable enough to support the roll of the web material while on the support. Since the roll cap 14 is desirably not removable form a core when the roll material is depleted, it is generally preferred, that the roll cap be prepared from a material that is recyclable or is biodegradable. Suitable biodegradable plastics include, for example polymer derived from plant based materials, such as polylactic acid. However, other suitable plastics maybe used that are not biodegradable.

[55] The roll cap 14 of the present invention is typically inserted into a rolled product that is to be dispensed from a dispenser. Referring to FIG 8, shown is a rolled product 60. The rolled product 60 contains a web material 66 which is rolled into a roll 61 . Optionally, the web material 66 may be wound onto a core 62, as shown in FIG 8. When a core is used, the core will generally have a tubular cylindrical shape, as is shown in FIG 8. In addition, the core 62, when used, may be prepared from various materials, including, for example, plastic, cardboard, or any other suitable material which is rigid enough to have the web material 66 wound thereon. Desirably, the core should be prepared from a material which is recyclable or biodegradable. Suitable biodegradable plastics include, for example, polymers from plant based materials, such as polylactic acid. Alternatively, the web material 66 may be wound without a core. In the present invention, it is not critical whether a core is used to wind the web material. The roll 61 has first end 71 and a second end 72. The roll 61 further has a central axis 64 which extends from the first end 71 to the second end 72. Each of the first end 71 and second end 72 has an opening first opening 73 and a second opening 74, respectively, axially aligned with the central axis 64 of the roll. The central axis 64 of the roll 61 , runs through first and second openings 73 and 74 of the roll.

[56] A roll cap 14, which is described above in detail, is inserted into at least one of the first or second ends, 71 , 72 respectively. Optionally, a roll cap 14 may be inserted into both ends of the roll 61 . It is noted that the roll cap may be inserted into the core 62, prior to winding the web material 66 onto the core 62 or after the web material 66 has been wound onto the core 62. By having the roll cap 14 in one of the ends 71 , 72 of the rolled product 60, the rolled product may be inserted into a dispenser containing a support of the present invention such that the user or maintainer of the dispenser knows that the proper web material is being dispensed from the dispenser. This is because the rolled product 61 , with the roll cap 14, will properly intermesh with the supports having the engagement barrier 28. The user or maintainer of the dispenser will be assured that the product being dispensed from the dispenser should properly dispense and the user will be given an appropriate amount of the web material to accomplish the given task, such as, for example, drying hands.

[57] The web material 66 may be a wide variety of materials that are typically dispensed from a roll. The web material may be paper, for paper towels, toilet tissue or facial tissue, nonwoven materials such as those used in wipers and the like and any other similar materials. Generally, the web material will be paper materials used for paper towels or toilet tissue.

[58] Referring to FIG 9, the roll holder 12 of the present invention may be used in a sheet dispenser 1 10. FIG 9 shows a sheet material dispenser 1 10 with the front cover (not shown) removed. Typically a sheet dispenser will have a back panel 1 16, a first side 1 12, a second side, a cover (not shown). The cover is the portion of the dispenser which is typically visible to a user when the user approaches the dispenser 1 10 to obtain a sheet of the web material. The back panel 1 16, the first side 1 12 and the second side 1 14, form a compartment 1 15. It is within this compartment that the roll holder 12 is located. The roll holder 12 holds the roll of web material in the dispenser so that the web material can be effectively removed from the roll and dispensed from the dispenser. As described above, the roll holder 12 has at least one support 20. Generally, a dispenser will have two roll supports 20.The support 20 can be mounted in a dispensing module 1 18, which contains all of the necessary rollers and other structures to dispense a sheet of the web material. For example, the module may contain a motor, sensors, gears, rollers and a cutting blade. An example of a suitable dispensing module is disclosed in U.S. Patent 6,314,850 to Morand, which is hereby incorporated by reference. As shown in FIG 9, the support 20 is attached to the dispensing module 1 18. Alternatively, the support 20 may be mounted to the back panel 1 16 of the dispenser, or the support 20 could be mounted to the side panels 1 12 and/or 1 14 (embodiment not shown). No matter where the support 20 is mounted in the dispenser, the support has a boss 26 and an engagement barrier 28. These features are described in detail above.

[59] The advantages of the present invention includes that the roll holder 12 and the roll cap 14 can be used to form a web material dispenser coordination system. In this aspect of the present invention, a plurality of dispensers can be provided having the roll holder 12 of the present invention, as is described above, which will only accept a specific corresponding roll cap 14, selected from a plurality of roll caps, again which is described above. In this regard, to gain a better understanding of this aspect of the present invention, attention is directed to FIGS 2A, 2B, 6A and 6B.

[60] Each dispenser of the system will have a roll holder 12. Each roll holder will have a support 20 having an internal side 22 and a first surface 24 and a boss 26 disposed on the internal side of the support 20. The boss 26 extends outwardly from the first surface 24 and the boss having a central axis. The boss 26 is configured (size and shape) to engage a lumen 50 of a roll cap 14, the boss having a diameter D _b . Also disposed on the internal side of the support is an engagement barrier 28. The engagement barrier 28 is spaced apart from the boss 26 and the engagement barrier 28 has at least one arced structure 32 proximate the boss 26. This arced structure 32 extends outwardly from the first surface 24 and is generally concentric with the central axis 30 of the boss 26. The arced structure 32 and the boss 26 form a channel 36, which is positioned between the arced structure wall 34 and the boss 26. The arced structure 32 has a minimum diameter D _a, as measured through the central axis of the boss, or measured as twice the radius from the central axis 30 of the boss. The engagement barrier 28 extends away from the channel 36 such that the engagement barrier inhibits the support 20 from engaging a hub and lumen having a diameter larger than D _a .

[61] The system also has a first and second corresponding roll cap adapted which is to be inserted in a rolled product and which is to rotatably engage the support of the first and second dispenser respectively. Each corresponding roll cap for each roll holder in a dispenser of the system has a base plate having a first side 41 and a second side 42. The roll cap 14 has at least roll contacting member 46 extending outwardly from the roll cap 14 which will engage the rolled product at the opening 71 of the rolled product. The second side of the base plate has a hub 48 axially aligned in the central axis 30' of the roll cap 14 extending outward from the second side. The hub 48 has an outer diameter of D _h . The hub 48 and a lumen 50 at least partially extending through the hub 48. The lumen 50 is axially aligned in the central axis 30' of the roll cap 14., The lumen has an inner diameter of D|.

[62] In each of the roll holders 12 and the corresponding roll cap, the hub and lumen are sized such that the hub and lumen to rotatably fit into the channel 36 of the support and D _a > D _h > D| > D _b .

[63] As can be seen in FIG 2A and FIG 2B, the boss 26 in FIG 2A has a larger diameter D _b i than the diameter D _B2 of the boss 26 shown in FIG 2B.

Similarly, the arced structure 32 of FIG 2A has a minimum diameter D _a i which is larger than minimum diameter D _a2 of the arced structure 32 shown in FIG 2B. Referring to FIG 6A and FIG 6B, the roll cap lumen inner diameter D _M in FIG 6A is larger than the lumen diameter D _b2 of the roll cap 14 shown in FIG 6B. Similarly, the hub 48 of FIG 6A has an outer diameter DM which is larger than outer diameter D _H2 of the hub 48 shown in FIG 6B. As shown, the roll cap 14 of FIG 6A is a corresponding roll cap 14 adapted to the boss 26, engagement barrier 28 and channel 36 of the support shown in FIG 2A. As such, the relationship between of the diameters of the arced structure 32, the hub, the lumen and the boss in FIGS 2A and 6A are D _A > D _H > D _M > D _B . Likewise, the roll cap 14 of FIG 6B is a corresponding roll cap 14 adapted to the boss 26, engagement barrier 28 and channel 36 of the support 20 shown in FIG 2B. Similarly, the relationship between the diameters of the arced structure 32, the hub 48, the lumen 50 and the boss 26 in FIGS 2B and 6B are D _A2 > D _H2 > D _!2 > D _B2 . .

[64] It is also noted that the roll cap 14 of FIG 6B would not properly intermesh and align with the support shown in FIG 2A, since the inner diameter D _M of the lumen in FIG 6B is smaller than the boss diameter D _M shown in FIG 2A. In a similar but different manner, the roll cap 14 of FIG 6A, would not properly intermesh and align with the support of FIG 2B, since the diameter of the lumen DM is larger than the diameter of the arced structure D _a2 .

[65] The dispenser coordination system of the present invention provides the first dispenser having at least one roll holder 12 on a support 20 that has a boss 26 with a diameter D _b i , an arced structure 32 with a minimum diameter D _a i . The system further has a first corresponding roll cap 14, which is designed to engage and intermesh with the roll holder in the first dispenser, the cap having a hub 26 with an outer diameter D _h i and a lumen 50 with an inner diameter of D _M . The system provides a second dispenser with a roll holder 12 on a support 20 that has a boss 26 with a diameter Db ₂ , an arced structure 32 with a minimum diameter D _a2 . The system further has a second corresponding roll cap 14 which is designed to engage and intermesh with the roll holder of the second dispenser. The second roll cap 14 having a hub 26 with an outer diameter D _h2 and a lumen 50 with an inner diameter of D| ₂ . The relationship of the diameters of the boss, lumen, hub and arced structure of between each roll holder and corresponding roll cap is such that:

DM > D _b2 ;

DM . > Di ₂ ;

DM > D _h2

[66] The web material dispenser coordination system may have additional dispensers, for example a third dispenser, a fourth dispenser, a fifth dispenser and so on. Each additional dispenser will have a roll holder12 having a boss 26 with a diameter D _bx , an arced structure 32 with a diameter D _ax . In addition, each additional dispenser will have an additional corresponding roll cap 14, each addition roll cap 14 will have a hub 48 outer diameter Dhx and a lumen 50 with an inner diameter of D| _X . In each case, x is the number of additional dispensers in the system. Each additional dispenser will have a different size for the hub diameter Dh and the arced structure diameter D _a . As such, the corresponding roll caps 14 would have a corresponding lumen diameter D| and hub diameter D _h such that the cap would align and engage the roll holder. By way of an example, if the system had three dispensers with different roll holders in terms of the diameter of the boss 26 and arced structure 32 with a corresponding roll cap 14, the relationship of each diameter for the three roll holders and corresponding roll caps could be the following:

D _b i > D _B 2 > D _b3

DM > D _h2 > D _h3

It is noted that the size relationship between the diameters of the individual feature are merely shown as an example and is not intended to be limiting. The roll holder and corresponding roll cap for example could have larger diameters than the second and first roll holder and corresponding roll cap.

[67] To gain a better understanding of the how the size of the diameter of the roll caps may vary, attention is directed to FIG 10, which shows five roll caps 141 , 142, 143, 144 and 145. As can be clearly seen the diameter D| of the lumen 50 changes in each roll cap 141 -145. Further, the diameter of the hub 48 (not identified in FIG 10) also reduces from roll cap 141 to roll cap 145. These roll caps are each designed engage specifically designed roll holders in the system. To assist in identifying which roll cap fits on which roll holder, the roll cap and roll holder could be color coordinated. For example, roll cap 141 could be red and the corresponding roll holder would also be red. Roll cap 142 could be green and the corresponding roll holder would also be green. That way a maintainer of the dispensers using the system would be able to quickly identify which roll cap was intended to be installed in the dispenser.

[68] As is stated above, the system could be used in different types of dispensers or the same type of dispenser. Likewise the roll caps could be placed in different types of web material or the same type of web material. The roll caps and the roll holder of the present invention provide a way to ensure that rolls of material not intended to be dispensed from the dispenser cannot be effectively loaded into the dispenser.

[69] In another embodiment of the present invention, provided is an adapter 200, as is shown in FIGS 1 1 and 12. As is stated above, the engagement barrier 28 serves to limit the roll holder's 12 ability to accept a roll of web material without a particular roll cap for that particular roll holder 12. The adapter 200 is for converting a roll holder 12 having an engagement barrier 28 to accept standard rolls of web material without specific roll cap or to a different roll cap. As such, a roll holder 12 with the adapter attached, as is shown in FIG 13, will accept a standard roll of web material, with a standard sized core. It is noted that the core size may vary from one manufacture to another. By standard sized core, it is intended to mean those cores typically used to roll a web material. Alternatively, the roll may be coreless, meaning that no core is used. Again, the adapter of the present invention may be sized to accept coreless rolls as well.

[70] The adapter 200 has a first end 202 and an opposite second end 204. The second end 204 is adapted to be adjacent the roll holder 12 having an engagement barrier 28, such that the adapter 200 at least partially covers an engagement barrier 28 on a roll holder 12. By "at least partially covers" it is intended that the second end 204 of the adapter 200 obscures from view a portion of the engagement barrier 28, as is shown in FIG 13. It is noted that covering the entire engagement barrier 28 is also contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention. The first end 202 and the second end 204 are joined to one another by a connecting surface, such that the first end 202 is offset from the second end 204 such that the first end 202 is extended away from the roll holder 12. To hold the adapter 200 in place on the roll holder 12, a connection means is used.

[71] As is shown in FIGS 1 1 , 12 and 13, the adapter is shown to be a cylindrical structure. It is also shown that the adapter has a cap-like structure, where the interior 208 of the adapter is hollow. Alternatively, the interior 208 could have the shape of the engagement barrier or the roll holder the adapter 200 is going to be engaging. It is pointed out that the adapter 200 can have other shapes such that the connecting surface 206 may have a smaller or larger diameter than the second end. Generally, the connecting surface 206 of the adapter 200 will have a cylindrical surface, as is shown in FIGS 1 1 and 12. Alternatively, the connecting surface could have a conical shape (not shown).

[72] To hold the adapter 200 onto the roll holder 12, a connection means is used. The connection means may be an adhesive, a friction fit, an engagement member extending from the adapter or a connecting member recessed into the adapter. As is shown in FIGS 1 1 and 12, the engagement members 210 extend out from the second end of the adapter 200. The engagement members 210 are sized and shaped to fit into a complementary member 212 which is present on the roll holder 12, as is shown in FIGS 12 and 14. The complementary member 212 is sized and shaped to accept and retain the engagement members 210, when the engagement members 210 are brought into contact with the complementary member 212. As shown in FIGS 12 and 14, the complementary member 212 is a slot which is thru the roll holder. As shown in FIG 1 1 , the engagement members are legs with a protrusion 214. The protrusion 214 serves to lock the engagement member 210 into the complementary member 212. Any structure or method that will allow the adapter 200 to remain engaged with the roll holder 12 when a roll of web material is loaded into the dispenser and onto the adapter 200 engaged with the roll holder 12 may be used in the present invention, provided the adapter 200 will remain engaged with the roll holder under the weight of the roll of web material. It is noted that the engagement member 210 may be a single member, or multiply members. As shown in FIG 1 1 , there are two engagement members 210.

[73] An additional optional feature that may be present on the roll holder 12 is a groove or channel 216 that will allow the second end 204 of the adapter 200 to rest against or into the engagement barrier 28. The groove or channel 216 can also serve to stabilize the adapter 200 when the adapter 200 engages the roll holder 12.

[74] Although the present invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.