Pull angle dependant resistive paper towel holder

Abstract

A paper towel holder is provided having a pad made of foam, rubber or the like for impeding (or resisting) the rotation of a paper towel roll with respect to a user initiated unfurling pull angle. The user pulls upward (i.e., in a direction proximal to the base) to unfurl the paper towel roll with a minimum level of resistance. The user pulls downward (i.e., in a direction distal to the base) to create resistance against the paper towel roll such that the rotation of the roll is slowed or halted to provide a user initiated perfect tear.

1 . A paper towel holder configured to impede rotation of a paper roll in response to a user initiated unfurling pull angle, the paper towel holder comprising: 
 a base;    a shaft attached to the base; and    a pad arranged on the base and around the shaft of the base, said pad having frictional characteristics imparting a frictional force in a rotational direction that impedes the rotation of the paper roll based on a direction of the user initiated unfurling pull angle, such that a removal of a single unfurled square along a perforated line from the paper roll is achieved when a component of the unfurling pull angle toward the base along a longitudinal axis of the shaft exceeds a predetermined value.    
   
   
       2 . The paper towel holder according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a circumferential recess disposed in the base receiving the shaft therethrough.    
   
   
       3 . The paper towel holder according to  claim 2 , wherein the pad is placed in the circumferential recess of the base.  
   
   
       4 . The paper towel holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is one of a sheet of foam or rubber.  
   
   
       5 . The paper towel holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of foam and rubber are circular.  
   
   
       6 . The paper towel holder according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a press to hide and press to elevate handle arranged in an end of the shaft for hiding the handle when the paper towel holder is not in use.    
   
   
       7 . The paper towel holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is a circular sheet comprised of foam or rubber, said sheet having a circular cut-out for the shaft to slide through during assembly.  
   
   
       8 . The paper towel holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is made of rubber material having a durometer value of 30-60.  
   
   
       9 . The paper towel holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is made of a rubber material comprising one of silicone, neoprene, or santoprene.  
   
   
       10 . The paper towel holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is made of a material having frictional coefficient characteristics in the range of frictional coefficient characteristics of rubber materials having durometers values of 30-60.  
   
   
       11 . A method for impeding rotation of a paper roll on a paper towel holder, in response to a user initiated unfurling pull angle, said paper towel holder having a base, a shaft attached to the base and a pad arranged on the base, the method comprising: 
 unfurling a sheet of paper from the roll on the paper towel holder by pulling at an unfurling pull angle; and    imparting a frictional force generated by the pad on the paper roll in a rotational direction that impedes the rotation of the roll when a component of the unfurling pull angle toward the base along a longitudinal axis of the shaft exceeds a predetermined value such that a removal of a single square along a perforated line from the paper roll is achieved.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a circumferential recess is disposed in the base.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the pad is placed in the circumferential recess of the base.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the pad is one of a sheet of foam or rubber.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the sheet of foam and rubber are circular.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 activating a press to hide and press to elevate handle arranged in an end of the shaft to hide the handle when the paper towel holder is not in use.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the pad is a circular sheet comprised of foam or rubber; 
 wherein the sheet has a circular cut-out for the shaft to slide through during assembly.    
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the pad is made of rubber material having a durometer value of 30-60.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the pad is made of a rubber material comprising one of silicone, neoprene, or santoprene.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the pad is made of a material having frictional coefficient characteristics in the range of frictional coefficient characteristics of rubber materials having durometers values of 30-60.