This invention relates to a dispenser for articles of rolled material such as toilet . rolls or paper towel rolls. Theft of toilet rolls from publicly accessible conveniences is a widespread problem.

Overall the number of articles which must be replaced can be enormous, and the frequency of servicing each site is substantially increased. This creates an extra cost burden on organisations who maintain the conveniences on a normally strict budget. Numerous dispensers have been designed to alleviate the problem. One solution is to provide more expensive lockable dispensers but these require special keys and therefore more complicated service procedures. Another solution is to provide one way dispensers having various means to restrict removal of fresh rolls before at least a part of each roll has been used.

Another drawback with many existing dispensers is that extra rolls can partially jam the mechanism for removal of paper from a currently in-use roll by a genuine user.

Typically these spare rolls lie firmly against the current roll and restrict its free rotation as paper is pulled off. Numerous dispensers have been designed in attempts to alleviate this problem also.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser which can substantially reduce one or both of these problems in a simple and effective manner, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in one aspect the invention provides a dispenser for articles of rolled material, in which a return restricting means near a service entrance prevents or limits removal of unused rolls should the rolls be pushed back towards the entrance. Preferably the return restricting means comprises one or more projections which readily allow the rolls to pass in one direction but physically engage the rolls during an attempted passage in the opposite direction.

In another aspect the invention comprises a dispenser in which support means within the dispenser housing can prevent or limit contact of unused rolls with the current roll to ease rotation of the latter roll during use. Preferably the support means comprise one or more protrusions which exert sideways pressure to suspend an unused roll but allow the roll to be moved manually in either direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with respect to the drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser with a closed lid,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser with lid open for insertion of a fresh roU,

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the dispenser with lid closed, Figure 4 is a vertical section through the dispenser with lid open, and

Figure 5 is another vertical section through the dispenser with lid closed. DET.AILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to these drawings it will be appreciated that the shape and configuration of a dispenser according to the invention may be varied considerably given the improvements which have now been disclosed. The drawings merely exemplify the invention in a visible form appropriate for toilet rolls.

Figure 1 shows a dispenser having an upright housing structure to hold several articles of rolled material in a vertical stack. A currently used roll 5 is indicated in dashed outline and one or two fresh rolls may be supported above. Capacity for up to three articles in total has so far proven satisfactory for dispensers of toilet rolls in public conveniences.

The dispenser housing has a pair of sidewalls 10, a front wall 11 and a rear wall 12.

An upper end 13 has a hinged lid 14 and provides an entrance for fresh rolls during servicing, while a lower end 15 has a slot-like aperture 16 through which a free end 6 of roll 5 is seen to extend. The aperture should be of sufficient dimensions to allow removal of any core on which the roll may be formed.

The dispenser will normally have a number of openings in various positions to allow manual manipulation of the rolls. These are shown as openings 17 on the sidewalls and openings 18 on the front and rear walls respectively. Openings 17 are placed off centre on the sidewalls to limit the direct force which can be apphed by a person attempting to remove rolls vertically through the entrance in upper end 13.

Figure 2 shows the dispenser with lid 14 fully opened. The lid has an optional structure which also hinders removal of rolls as mentioned above. An outer plate 20 blocks the entrance when the lid is closed, while an inner plate 21 moves up to block the entrance when the lid is open. Both plates are strengthened by side portions 22 and a

A fresh roll being entered into the dispenser housing is placed on the inner plate and the lid is then closed to move the plate downwards and release the roll. The lid is then reopened to add a further roll if necessary. Anyone attempting to remove a roll from the dispenser must make a considerable effort to manipulate the roll through an opening 17 as the lid is opened and the inner plate moves upwards.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are vertical sections though the dispenser showing how a return restricting means 30 and an article support means 40 may be positioned within the housing. The return restricting means is formed by one or preferably two projections which are directed downwards near upper end 13 of the dispenser on sidewalls 10. The support means is formed by one or preferably two resilient strips oriented approximately vertically midway down the sidewalls 10. These presently preferred means could be replaced by other structures to carry out the same intended functions.

Each return restricting means 30 comprises a flat portion 31 which is fastened to a respective sidewall, and a projecting portion 32 which may be tapered as shown in Figure 5. The tapering will normally be formed in a direction which lies approximately perpendicular to inner plate 21 when the lid 14 is open, as shown in Figure 4. The projections are designed so that a roll entering the dispenser can pass downwards fairly easily as the lid closes, while the roll being pushed upwards is physically engaged and its motion is prevented or at least limited. Both the projections and the rolls will normally be somewhat resilient to assist this process.

Each support means 40 comprises a resilient strip having an arch portion 41 which protrudes approximately symmetrically into the dispenser housing as shown in Figure 5. A flat end portion 42 fastens the strip to a respective sidewall, while a free end portion 43 is held in place against the sidewall by a catch-piece 44. The arched portion is designed so that a roll may be pushed up or down within the dispenser, but the motion will be gently resisted with a force greater than the weight of several rolls together. Fresh rolls may thereby be manipulated through openings 17 and 18 into a suspended state which allows a currently used roll in lower end 15 of the dispenser to rotate more freely. Figures 3 to 5 show other features ρf the dispenser housing and lid which should also be mentioned. The lower end 15 of the housing has planar base portions 50 which form aperture 16. These are angled at approximately 30° from horizontal to provide low friction surfaces on which a current roll lies and may rotate as material is pulled from the dispenser. Aperture 16 also has lips 51 which assist tearing of the material when required. Both the upper and lower ends of back wall 12 will normally have keyhole or screw-hole apertures for mounting the dispenser on a wall.

Upper end 13 has a rim 60 at the entrance to the housing. A downturned lip 61 on the upper plate 20 rests on the rim when the lid is closed as shown in Figure 3. The rim also catches an upturned Up 62 on lower plate 21 as shown in Figure 4, to prevent the dispenser from being completely opened. Further, the lower plate has cutaway side portions 63 which clear the return restricting means 30 when the lid is open or closed.

A number of toilet roll dispensers have been manufactured to date by cutting and pressing from sheet metal with spot welding of the fixed joints between individual components. These have been coated with a durable paint to provide a robust easily cleaned structure for use in pubhc conveniences. Both cored and coreless toilet paper rolls can be dispensed. Overall the dispensers have proved very effective in reducing theft of unused rolls, and in providing an easily serviced and easily used facility.