Technical field

The present invention concerns the technical field relative to bathroom accessories.

In particular, the invention refers to an innovative roll holder for paper rolls or big rolls and in particular way for toilet paper.

Background art

Roll holders for toilet paper of different shapes and sizes have long been known.

These are generally present both in private houses as well as in public bathrooms of offices, businesses in general, etc.

Generally, the roll holder is based on the arrangement of an axis destined to be inserted in the cardboard core of the roll. In this manner, the roll is free to rotate with respect to the axis, so during the unrolling of the paper the roll turns freely, allowing the user to unroll the quantity of paper desired.

The axis can be arranged in the wall, for example interposed between two supports that are fixed in such a way as to result emerging from the wall itself. The axis is extractable from the two supports since it is formed by two parts connected between them through a spring.

In this way, it can reduce its length for the extraction from the two supports and the positioning/removal of the roll to be then released and return to its rest length, remaining interposed between the two supports.

In another case, the axis can be part of a structure that rests on the ground and which, if needed, can contain other bathroom items, such as the scrubbing brush for the WC.

In all the cases described there exists however a technical inconvenient, particularly evident in public bathrooms but naturally present also in private bathrooms.

Traditional roll holders are capable of supporting just one roll at a time, so when it finishes it is necessary to intervene by taking a new roll and substituting the preceding one that has just finished. Traditional roll holders do not foresee a structure that allows to contain more than one roll "in reserve".

At the end of each roll, the user is obliged to take a new roll that is often placed in a place at a distance from the bathroom.

Moreover, above all in the case of public bathrooms, the control of the presence of soaps and toilet paper is generally made by an operator which, however, is in this way continuously obliged to control the quantity of roll still present in each roll holder. It is evident that this operation is not much easy since public bathrooms have a high number of users, obliging the operator to do an almost continuous check of availability of the rolls and often obliging it to disseminate rolls in an unordered and hygienically unconventional manner. There is instead the risk that, as it often happens, the user is obliged to use the bathroom without toilet paper.

Canadian publication CA 1 272 696 solves said technical problem and describes a roll holder having a frame in the shape of beams arranged in such a way as to delimit a superior channel in which a plurality of paper rolls are piled. The superior part is open for the insertion of the rolls and the inferior part forms a support base for the pile of rolls with a front opening through which a user can take the roll that rests directly on said base. Below said channel two support hooks extend, where a rotation axis for the roll rests.

Once the roll is taken through the opening, the axis can be inserted in the core of the roll and rest the ends of the axis on such hooks so that the roll is free to rotate, allowing the unrolling of the paper strip.

Such a structure, even if it foresees a reserve of rolls ready for use, has however the technical inconvenient of leaving excessive freedom of movement for the axis of rotation of the roll, risking that, during the unrolling of the roll, the axis can lift or translate with respect to the hooks on which it rests, causing the fall to the ground of the roll.

A solution to such a technical problem is presented in US 3 754 719, which describes the preamble to claim 1.

In this case, the roll holder foresees a frame that forms as well an internal channel in which a plurality of rolls can be piled one on top of the other.

In this case, the two lateral walls of the roll holder form a notch that generates a guide in which a rotation axis for the roll is slidingly bound. The axis is formed in such a way that it can be inserted in the core of the roll and foresees a cylindrical central part with two cylindrical ends of an inferior diameter respect to the central part and that are inserted slidingly in the guide. When such ends are at a stop of the guide they are free to rotate while supported on the guide; therefore, when the user pulls a strip of paper of the roll, the roll starts to rotate around the axis, allowing the unrolling of the paper.

The guide has a width that is substantially equal to the diameter of such ends of the axis, so that the axis rotates but it is impeded from exiting accidentally through the guide since its central part, of a superior diameter with respect to the ends, would not pass through the width of the guide itself. This guarantees, unlike the Canadian document described above, a stability in position for the roll.

Once the roll is finished, in order to remove the axis and substitute the roll used with a new one, a circular widening of the guide at a pre-determined height with respect to the inferior stop is foreseen. The diameter of such a widened part is such as to allow to pull out the axis, allowing the passage, obviously, also of the cylindrical central part. A further widened part is also present at the opposite end of the guide and in a position in which the core of the roll is found right overlying and placed in waiting position through a stop. In such a way, from the underlying widened part the axis is pulled out from the finished roll and such an axis can be inserted in the new roll placed in waiting position through the second opening obtained in the guide. When the axis is removed, the core of the finished roll falls by gravity outside of the roll holder, while the new roll, once provided with axis, can be made to fall along the guide in unrolling position once its stop has been removed .

A technical inconvenience of such a solution is that, obviously, it requires an elaboration of the guides that is particularly complex since it is necessary to foresee two widened parts to allow the extraction of the axis and its insertion in the core of the new roll.

Moreover, the operation of removal of such an axis is not an easy operation since it is necessary to be careful to lift the roll used up to bringing the rolling axis of the roll in line with the first widened part of the guide and, . further, with the finger it is necessary to push the rolling axis outside, being careful to keep the used roll always in line with the widened part of the guide. If an accidental misalignment takes place, obviously the axis cannot be extracted anymore since it would not be in line anymore with the widened part. In the same way, the insertion of the axis in the new roll requires necessarily that the core of the roll is made to fall exactly in line with the superior widened part and this obliges to purchase and to use rolls of a predetermined size. The purchase of a roll of a different size (for example smaller or a maxi one) risks to stagger such an alignment, not allowing anymore the insertion of the rolling axis previously extracted.

Disclosure of invention

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a roll holder that solves said technical inconveniences.

In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a roll holder that is structured in such a way as to guarantee the arrangement of a reserve of rolls to be used at the end of each roll and that, at the same time, such a reserve results not only at hand but also impeded from being disseminated away from the roll holder itself.

Moreover, it is the aim of the present invention to foresee a roll holder in which the arrangement of the new roll results easy and immediate.

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a roll holder in which the roll in use can be unrolled without the risk of exiting from its roll holder but allowing, at the same time, a removal of the rotation axis, and therefore make the roll change simple and quick and without requiring complex elaborations on the roll holder itself.

It is also the aim of the present invention to provide a roll holder whose functionality results independent from the size of the roll used, at least in terms of meters of paper constituting the roll and therefore in terms of diameter.

These and other aims are obtained with the present roll holder in accordance with claim 1.

Such a roll holder (1), preferably for toilet paper rolls, comprises:

- A frame (2) ;

- An axis (40) to allow in use the unrolling of the roll ;

- The frame (2) forming a channel (3) in which one or more rolls can be piled one on top of the other;

- The roll holder (1) further foreseeing means (21) to keep the overlying pile of rolls distanced from the underlying roll in use;

- The frame forming an opening (50) arranged to allow the exit of the paper strip coming from the progressive unrolling of the roll in use;

- And wherein the axis (40) is connected to the frame (2) in a removable manner, the axis foreseeing a central part (41) and two opposed ends (42) connected ^' to the central part;

- The frame foreseeing a guide (10) of a predetermined length and width in which the ends (42) of the axis (40) engage slidingly and rotatably, the guide having- a stop (13'), preferably U-shaped.

In accordance with the invention, said ends (42) of the axis (40) connect each one to the central part through the formation of at least one groove (43', 43").

The axis (40) is therefore configured in such a way that, when arranged in correspondence of the stop, there is at least one groove (43', 43'') which results engaged with the guide during a complete rotation of the axis, impeding the axis to pull out through the width of the guide and, when lifted by the stop (13') for at least part of the length of the guide, there is at least an angular position of rotation of the axis around its longitudinal axis that conducts the grooves to detach from the contact with the guide, allowing to pull out the axis through the width of the guide.

In this manner, all the technical inconveniences are solved .

Such a conformation of the axis, in relation to the width of the guide, allows to easily pull out the axis through the guide when the axis is lifted and rotated of a pre-determined angle, while when the axis is in position of unrolling of the roll in use in correspondence of the stop, the position thereof is guaranteed thanks to the overlapping of the groove/s with the guide. In this way, unlike what has been described in American document US3754719, it is not necessary to make guides with particular elaborations that allow the extraction of the axis.

This solution also renders easy the substitution of the used roll with a new one since it is enough to lift the rotation axis and rotate it in a position in which none of the grooves engages with the guide. At this point the axis can be easily extracted through the width of the guide, without having to be careful to lift the axis exactly in a specific position of the guide, as it takes place in US3754719 instead.

Such a solution, unlike US3754719, also allows the use of any type of roll, without being bound to a specific size of the roll itself in order to insert the rotation axis . In such a way, advantageously, the user or the operator has the possibility to remove the axis, extract the core of the finished roll and bind again the axis to the frame after having inserted it in the core of a new roll of the pile.

Advantageously, the axis (40) can be a flat element.

Advantageously, the axis (40) can for example be formed by a tubular element bent in a closed-ring manner.

In all cases, advantageously, each end forms with respect to the central part a first groove (43') and a second groove (43' ' ) .

Advantageously, the first groove (43') and the second groove (43'') are diametrically opposed.

Advantageously, the axis (40) foresees a longitudinal axis and a transversal axis, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the axis (40) being symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis and to its transversal axis .

Alternatively, advantageously, each end can form with respect to the central part at least a groove (43', 43'') which results placed in a different position with respect to the groove (43', 43'') present on the opposed end.

In all the configurations, advantageously, the ends have a width which is superior with respect to the width of the guide.

Advantageously, the size of the axis (40) can be such as to engage in the core of the roll with a pre-determined degree of mechanical interference, in such a way that the rotation of the axis (40) drags the roll in rotation.

Advantageously, said means (21) to keep the overlying pile of rolls distanced from the underlying roll in use foresee a flap (21) that projects in the channel (3) of the frame, the flap being for example elastically flexible . Advantageously, the guide can foresee a first loop (10') and a second loop (10'') opposed between them.

Advantageously, said first loop (10') and said second loop (10'') can form an opening passing through the thickness of the frame and through which the end of the axis passes, having the groove over the loop.

Advantageously, the frame can foresee a front part (15) and a back part (20) connected to the front part through two lateral parts provided with the guide (10), the back part (20) forming a support cradle for the roll in use, the opening (50) being interposed between the support cradle and the front part (15) .

Advantageously, the frame can be formed by a plurality of tubular elements adequately bent.

Advantageously, the frame can be metallic.

It is also described here, further, a roll holder (1), preferably for toilet paper rolls, and comprising:

A frame (2 ) ;

- An axis (40) to allow in use the unrolling of the roll; - The frame (2) forming a channel (3) in which one or more rolls can be piled one on top of the other;

- The roll holder (1) further foreseeing means (21) to keep the overlying pile of rolls distanced from the underlying roll in use;

- The frame forming an opening (50) arranged to allow the exit of the paper strip coming from the progressive' unrolling of the roll in use;

- And wherein the axis (40) is connected to the frame (2) in a removable manner, the axis foreseeing a central part (41) and two opposed ends (42) connected to the central part;

- The frame foreseeing a guide (10) of a pre-determined length and width in which the ends (42) of the axis (40) engage slidingly and rotatably, the guide having a stop (13' ), preferably U-shaped;

- Characterized in that said ends (42) of the axis (40) connect each one to the central part through the formation of at least one groove (43', 43''), preferably two grooves diametrically opposed by end (42), said axis (40) being configured in such a way that, when said grooves (43', 43'') are placed between the guide, the axis results fixed in position to the guide with a pre-determined degree of mechanical interference and, when rotated around its longitudinal axis in at least an angular position in which the grooves detach from the contact with the guide, the axis results extractable through the width of the guide.

It is also here described a type of roll holder comprising :

- A frame (2) ;

- An axis (40) to allow in use the unrolling of the roll;

- The frame (2) forming a channel (3) in which two or more rolls can be piled one on top of the other;

- Means (21) to keep the overlying pile of rolls distanced from the underlying roll in use;

- The frame forming an opening (50) arranged to allow the exit of the strip of paper coming from the progressive unrolling of the roll in use;

- The axis (40) being connected to the frame (2) in a removable manner;

- And wherein the axis (40) is formed by a tubular element bent in a closed-ring manner or is a flat element.

In that case, advantageously, the axis (40) foresees a central part (41) and two' ends (42) connected to the central part through at least one groove (43', 43''), preferably two grooves per end, which engage with the guide (10) .

In that case, advantageously, the frame foresees a guide (10) in which the ends of the axis (40) engage slidingly, the guide having a stop (13'), for example U- shaped, on which the axis (40) rests, the axis (40) being configured in such a way as to result rotatable of a turn and contextually that cannot be pulled out through the width of the guide when it rests on the stop through the grooves that result between the guide and extractable through the width of the guide when lifted by the stop (13') and rotated of a pre-determined angle in which the grooves do not result between the guide.

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the present roll holder, according to the invention, will result clearer with the description that follows of some embodiments, made to illustrate but not to limit, with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows a lateral view of the frame making part of the roll holder in accordance with the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a back view and highlights the attachment means in the wall and the flap that holds the pile of rolls in such a way that it results lifted with respect to the roll at the bottom in use;

- Figure 3 shows only the axis that is inserted in the core of the roll and, in said figure, separated from the rest of the frame;

- Figure 4 shows the frame fixed to the wall and the axis separated from it and arranged on the ground;

- Figure 5 shows the roll holder assembled, that is the frame fixed to the wall with the axis inserted in the guide at a stop of the guide itself;

- Figure 6 shows how to pull the axis in/out from the guide and the axis inserted in the core of the roll;

- Figure 7 shows a detail of the axis mounted in the guide in operative position with the roll inserted on the axis and the axis at a stop of the guide; the figure highlights the distance between the overlying pile and such a last roll provided of the axis for unrolling it in use;

- Figure 8 is a further axonometric view that shows the roll with the axis and a superior roll distanced from the underlying one thanks to the support action of the flap;

- Figure 9 is a back view that highlights better the action of contact of the flap with the overlying roll;

- Figure 10 shows a top view for highlighting the channel 3.

Description of some preferred embodiments

Figure 5 shows a roll holder 1 in accordance with the present invention.

The roll holder, object of the invention, foresees a frame 2 which is structured in such a way as to form a channel 3 in which the rolls are lodged.

The top view of figure 10 highlights well this channel in which are arranged, in a piled way one on top of the other, the toilet paper rolls.

The channel is formed in such a way that, as shown in figure 8, the rolls result extended horizontally, that is with their orthogonal rolling axis at the sides of the channel they face.

Figure 10 shows very well in a top view such a channel which is dimensioned to allow to pile a roll on top of the other in such a position that the roll can roll around its cardboard core.

The transversal section of the channel 3 is preferably rectangular and such as to leave a little gap around the roll in such a way that the roll can freely slide along the channel and above all freely roll with respect to the channel itself in which it is lodged.

Naturally, different shapes of such a transversal section can be made without for this moving away from the present inventive concept.

The frame, even if made for example by assembling continuous sheets, is preferably realized through adequately bent metallic tubes that define the elements described below.

The advantage is certainly . that of a high structural lightness. The materials can be different, for example, they can be light alloys such as aluminum, or materials such as iron, steel and the like.

The frame forms a guide 10 whose function will be described right below (see for example figure 4, figure 10 or figure 1) .

The guide is formed by a first loop 10' and by a second loop 10'' obtained on two opposed sides of the frame (see figure 9, 10 or figure 1) .

The loops (10', 10'') are obtained on the two opposed sides of the frame so that they face each one respectively a base of the cylinder from the part of the passage of the cardboard core of the roll (see for example figure 8), when the roll is arranged in the channel. The distance between the two guides (and therefore between the two sides comprising such guides) is such as to allow to insert the roll in the position of figure 8, that is with the rotation axis that intercepts such guides.

As it is well highlighted in figure 4 and in figure

1, the loops (10', 10'') are realized by bending a tube (full or empty, there is no difference) of a rectangular shape with the two minor sides (the superior 12 and the inferior 13), for example rounded, for example (but not necessarily) with a U-shaped bent. Both the loops connect to a front part 15 of the frame through two further connection tubes (16, 17) that branch off from the loops towards the front part.

The front part 15, as for example shown in figure 5, is a tube bent in a closed manner.

Always as highlighted in figure 5, the loops connect in the same manner from the opposite part to the back part 20 of the frame (see also figure 1) .

Such a back part foresees attachment means 30 that allow to fix the frame to the wall.

Such attachment means can for example foresee a plate integral to the tube that constitutes the back part and holed for the passage of screws or bolts.

Going on with the structural description of the invention, always such a back part foresees an appendix 21 that branches off towards the inside of the channel 3 (see for example figure 8, 9 or figure 4) .

The functionality of this appendix is that of keeping lifted, and therefore separated, the part of the pile of rolls arranged above said appendix with respect to the underlying rolls (therefore with respect to the roll in use) . In this way, the roll in use can freely rotate without being stopped or impeded in the rolling by the overlying rolls.

Figure 4 and figure 3 show an axis 40 that is that destined to hold the roll and, . more precisely, to be inserted in the channel formed by the cardboard core of the roll.

The axis foresees a central part 41 of a substantially rectangular flat shape. The two ends 42, also flat like the central part, connect each one to the central part 41 through two grooves 43' and 43''.

The axis is as well a tube closed on itself, thus resulting a flat element. In the present description by flat element it is intended an element that, if seen through a transversal section, substantially forms a superior surface and a substantially inferior flat surface so that, for example, results stable when rested on the ground as in figure 4.

The same solution with a closed tube can be substituted with a variant formed by a continuous surface of a pre-determined thickness, for example in metal, whose perimeter is conformed in such a way as to form the central part 41 and the two ends 42.

The grooves (see detail of figure 7) have such a curvature as to hold in a complementary manner the diameter of the tube that constitutes the loop (10', 10'') in which the axis 40 is inserted. The loop, being bent in a U-shaped manner in its inferior part, forms in this manner a continuous path for the grooves (43', 43'') that allows a rotation of the axis 40. As highlighted in figure 5 or 7, when the axis 40 is found in correspondence of the stop 13 of the opening (U-shaped bent stop in this example), thanks to said grooves, it is free to rotate and is contextually impeded from pulling out from the loop itself .

During the rotation, when said axis 40 is placed in correspondence of the stop 13, the tube of the opening is always found between the grooves 43' and 43' ' . In particular, figure 7 shows a position in which the axis 40 is parallel to the ground. In this position, the axis is impeded from pulling out because the grooves 43' and 43'' of both the ends 42 are both contextually between the tube of the loop so that such a widened head 42 impedes the exit thereof. In that sense, the widened head 42 goes in contrast against the loop and impedes the axis 40 from pulling out in the horizontal direction represented by the double direction of arrow of figure 7, while the grooves create at the same time a rotation bind for the axis.

Imagining now to rotate such axis 40 from the position in figure 7, for example in clockwise direction (for example because the user is unrolling the roll) , it can be seen how in each position, during said rotation, the axis 40 is impeded from pulling out from the loop. This is because the right groove 43' will engage going towards the position 13' (low end of the U) to then overcome said position. Going on in the rotation the groove 43' will reach the diametrically opposed position (position of the groove 43'' in figure 7), while the groove 43' ' that was not engaged during this rotation of 180° re-hooks now the loop in the position that belonged initially to the groove 43' . Therefore, during the rotation such a configuration of axis is such that there is always at least a groove in which the tube of the loop engages, and therefore there is always a grip point that impedes the axis 40 to pull out. Considering how the axis is structured, therefore, there is a possible position of pulling out only when the axis is lifted, making it slide along the loop upwards. For example, figure 6 shows how, in this generic lifted position, it is possible to pull the axis 40 out from the loop if it is rotated in such a way that the grooves are not in contact with the perimeter which delimits the loop itself.

For the extraction through the two loops, the axis can be configured also in other forms with respect to the flat one or tubular flat closed on itself, as described above.

In particular, the axis has to be configured in such a way that its two ends foresee each one at least a groove, preferably two per part, and arranged in such a way that at least one of them results engaged during a complete rotation of the axis when it is placed in correspondence of the stop. Moreover, such an axis has to be dimensioned with respect to the width of the loop in such a way that there exists at least a position in which, when lifted by the stop and rotated of a pre-determined angle, the loops separate from the guide (that is they do not result between the guide) , allowing to pull the axis out through the width of the loop.

Obviously, the flat shape, or also the closed-ring one on itself, with two grooves per part, and per each part diametrically opposed between them, is the most advantageous one constructively speaking since it is simple and efficient, at the same time guaranteeing a continuous contact of a groove per part during a rotation of a turn. Above, all, the U-shaped stop renders such a rotation uniform.

Nevertheless, other shapes can be implemented.

For example, that in which the central part is cylindrical (but with such a diameter as to pass through the width of the loop) and with the ends flat and provided with grooves similar to those previously described.

Also the closed-ring tubular shape, even if the flat form is the preferred one, can disassociate from a perfectly flat shape on condition that there exists a position that allows it to be pulled out through the width of the loop.

In this manner, when the axis is lifted with respect to the U of the stop, the rotation brings the end in a free position with respect to the loop and such as to allow the passage of the axis through it.

The axis 40 has such a width as to be inserted in the cardboard core of the paper roll with a predetermined degree of mechanical interference so that, when in use the paper unrolls from the roll, the rolling of the roll drags integrally with itself in rotation the axis 40.

As said, naturally, other similar embodiments of axis can be realized. For example, the central part 40 could be cylindrical and so as to be inserted with mechanical interference in the core of the roll and its ends 42 be flat as those described in figures 3, 4 or 5, indifferently .

In insertion, therefore, the axis 40 is forced inside the core (through the pliancy of the axis itself) in such a way that its natural width creates mechanical interference with the cardboard core.

Continuing with the structural description of the invention, figure 5 highlights well the front opening 50 through which the paper corner exits during the unrolling of the paper strip from the roll.

Such an opening is obtained by separating the front side 15 from the back side 20 (see for example figure 1) . The back part 20 terminates at the bottom with a circumferential profile cradle in such a way as to trace the external diameter of the roll that holds and favours its rotation. The roll, resting on said cradle, will have its paper edge that exists from the opening 50.

In use, therefore, the user arranges the pile of rolls in the channel 3 and inserts the axis 40 in the first roll at the bottom, slightly lifting the roll in such a way as to insert the traverse axis through the loops (see figure 6) . At this point the roll can be pushed on the cradle and is ready for use, while the overlying rolls are distanced from it by the flap. The user unrolls the paper required and the roll wears out progressively thanks to the rotation of the axis 40. In this embodiment the axis 40 is impeded from exiting and holds the roll low in position. Being the axis 40 inserted with interference, when the user pulls the strip the roll rotates integrally to the rotation of the axis 40 that makes the rotation axis. When the roll is worn out, then, the substitution of it takes place by extracting the axis 40, removing the core from the opening 50 and inserting the axis 40 in the new overlying roll that is pulled to the bottom. The flap is elastic and by being bent it allows the fall of the roll .

For comfort reasons, the distance between the roll in use and the overlying pile is such as to allow not just the free rotation but also to pull easily the axis 40 out. The core is removed through the opening 50 and a new roll can be put at the bottom of the cradle.

A variant of the invention could foresee an axis 40 that is not inserted with interference in the core. In that case, the core of the roll rotates freely around the axis 40 where arranged. In this case, to have greater stability, it would be preferable that the axis 40 is inserted in the loops, always through the grooves, with a certain mechanical interference, that is that the axis 40 can slide along the loop but that it cannot rotate with respect to it. In that sense, the axis 40 being fixed, it is not necessary that it results placed exactly at a stop for a correct functioning. At the end of the use of the roll, often, the axis is made to slide upwards and its rotation is forced to remove it from the loop.