BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a dispenser product lockout system and, more particularly, to a rolled web material dispenser having a mechanical lockout feature that prevents use of a dispenser assembly for dispensing rolled web material that is acquired from non-approved or unauthorized sources.

Conventional rolled web material dispensers for use in dispensing hand towel and toilet tissue material or the like often advance the web material from a roll as the roll rotates about a spindle, bobbin, or hub located within the dispenser. Upon depletion of the rolled web material, the dispenser housing is opened, and a replacement roll of web material is then placed within the dispenser. Conventional rolls of web materials may be coreless or include a hollow core for receiving a generic or common spindle that extends laterally through the core and whose opposing ends are supported by the dispenser housing. When provided in a coreless configuration, the axially opposing end located portions of the web material may be pinched between opposing fingers or compression assemblies that collectively define the rotational axis of the roll of web material relative to the dispenser.

Whether provided in a cored or coreless configuration of rolled web material, conventional paper and web material roll dispensers are not commonly configured to selectively dispense only a particular type, style, or roll of web material or a roll of web material from a particular manufacturer. Accordingly, it is possible for a size discrepancy or mismatch to occur between the dispenser and the roll of web material, thereby inhibiting the proper dispensing of the web material.

Such systems also present the potential that service providers or employees may configure such dispensers to dispense product having less desirable construction or performance characteristics via cheaper source suppliers or the like. Shortcomings in the dispense operation can sometimes be incorrectly attributed to subpar operability of the dispenser assembly rather than being attributable to deviations in the manufacture of the discrete rolled web material and/or use of rolled web materials that are ill-suited for being dispensed from a given dispenser assembly or produced with subpar manufacturing practices. Improper or less than efficient operation of the rolled web material dispenser to dispense rolled web material in a repeatable manner, but attributable to improper loading or use of a dispenser with web material not properly configured for cooperation with a discrete dispenser assembly, may reflect adversely on the manufacturer of the dispenser rather the establishment or service provider associated with maintaining operation of the discrete dispenser assemblies once deployed and ensuring that only suitable rolled web materials are associated therewith. Accordingly, there is a need for a roll dispenser that is constructed to limit use of the dispenser assembly to dispense only desired rolled web materials and thereby inhibit use of the dispenser assembly to dispense rolls of web material that have not be authorized to be dispensed from the corresponding dispenser.

Further, a need exists for lockout features that prevent necessary positioning or support of unauthorized rolls of web material relative to a given dispenser. In such a lockout system, in the event that there is an inconsistency between a registration component associated with a core of the roll and a mating registration portion associated with the hub or spindle of the dispenser, the roll of material will not be accepted into the dispenser in an operable manner thereby inhibiting use and/or proper support for dispensing of an unauthorized roll of web material.

A further need exists for a lockout roll dispensing system that is relatively inexpensive to manufacturer, produce, and maintain in a useable condition, inhibits use of unauthorized rolls of web materials, and solves other problems associated with existing configurations. A still further need exists for a dispenser assembly roll of web material lockout system that can be quickly and conveniently implemented into existing or previously deployed dispenser assemblies and which includes separable elements that can be configured to designate rolls of web material as authorized to be dispensed with dispenser assemblies that have been reconfigured to include the lockout system. A need further exists for roll web material lockout systems that provide robust support of authorized materials to facilitate the sequential rotational dispensing of the web material from the bulk roll. A further need exists for rendering a dispenser assembly incapable of supporting those rolled web material rolls that do not include the mating registration element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a roll of web material lockout system that resolves one or more of the shortcomings disclosed above.

One aspect of the present application discloses a web material roll lockout assembly that includes a hub that is constructed to be supported by a dispenser. A channel is formed in a radially outward oriented surface of the hub and positioned such that the channel is formed proximate an end of the hub. The assembly includes an insert that is constructed to removeably cooperate with the hub and has an overlapping portion formed between opposing ends of the insert. A plurality of projections are defined by the insert and constructed to limit axial translation between the insert and the hub when at least one of the plurality of projections is engaged with the channel and such that the overlapping portion of the insert improves flexibility associated with movement of the plurality of projections. A first rotational bearing surface and a second rotational bearing surface are defined between the insert and the hub when the at least one of the plurality of projections is engaged with the channel. The first rotational bearing surface and the second rotational bearing surface are positioned so that the overlapping portion of the insert is disposed therebetween.

Another aspect of the present application discloses a method of restricting rolls of web material that can be dispensed from a roll dispenser. The method includes providing a hub that defines an axis of rotation of a roll of web material associated with the roll dispenser. An insert is provided that has an outer diameter that is constructed to securely engage a bore of a roll of web material and has a radially inward directed shape that slideably cooperates with the hub. A portion of the insert is formed to overlap itself as the insert traverses from opposing ends thereof and such that, when the insert is engaged with the hub, cooperation of the insert and the hub restricts axial translation between the hub and the insert and accommodates rotation of the insert relative to the hub during rotation of a roll of web material. Engagement of a respective insert with the hub defines at least two bearing surfaces between the insert and the hub wherein each of the at least two bearing surfaces are offset in an axial direction from respective longitudinal ends of the insert and the hub and such that the overlapping portion of the insert is preferably disposed between the at least two bearing surfaces.

A further aspect of the present application discloses an insert for use in a roll web material dispenser assembly. The insert includes a body that extends between a first end and a second end of the insert. An outer surface of the body of the insert is shaped to be received in a roll of web material and an inner surface of the body of the insert is shaped to removeably cooperate with a hub associated with a dispenser and to define at least two bearing surfaces that are axially offset from one another when engaged with the hub. The insert includes a plurality of deflectable fingers that are associated with a first end of the body and a projection is associated with at least one of the plurality of deflectable fingers and oriented to engage a groove defined by the hub. The body defines an overlapping portion of the insert between the first end and the second end of the insert and is positioned between the at least two bearing surfaces.

Another aspect of the present application discloses a web material roll lockout assembly that include a support arm that is constructed to engage a dispenser housing. A carriage is engaged with the support arm and a hub is supported by the carriage such that the hub is movable relative to the carriage between an exposed position wherein a portion of the hub is accessible and a retracted position wherein the portion of the hub is inaccessible. The assembly includes a biasing device that is configured to bias the hub toward the exposed position. An insert is constructed to be disposed in a bore of a roll of web material and to slideably cooperate with the hub so that the hub engages the insert without translating the hub relative to the carriage toward the retracted position.

A further aspect of the present application discloses a method of forming a web material lockout assembly. The method includes forming an insert so that an outer geometric shape of the insert allows the insert to be slideably received in a bore of a roll of web material and forming an inner geometric shape of the insert to be shaped to removeably cooperate with a hub supported by a dispenser. The hub is supported so that the hub is slideable relative to the dispenser so that the hub is rendered inaccessible for supporting engagement if an insert having a different inner geometric shape is attempted to be operatively associated therewith.

Another aspect of the present application discloses a web material dispenser lockout system that includes a support assembly that is constructed to cooperate with a dispenser housing. A hub slideably engages the support assembly so that the hub is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A biasing device is engaged with the hub and oriented to bias the hub toward the extended position. The lockout system includes an insert that is constructed to be disposed in a bore of a roll of web material and has a radially interior facing geometry that allows the insert to cooperate with the hub without translating the hub toward the retracted position.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

