Pliable sheet dispenser

Abstract

A pliable sheet dispenser includes a tube having two distal ends and a generally rounded cross-section with a circumferential gap. The circumferential gap defines two edges of the tube. The tube includes a semirigid and resilient material, which enables the tube to transition from a relaxed configuration to an expanded configuration, wherein the expanded configuration is defined by the edges being a greater distance apart than in the relaxed configuration such that the tube may receive a roll of a pliable material therein having a larger diameter than the diameter of the tube in the relaxed configuration. The edges are biased toward the relaxed configuration, whereby the tube grips and retains the pliable material in a rolled configuration. Methods of using and making a pliable sheet dispenser are also disclosed.

1 . A pliable sheet dispenser comprising:
 (a) a tube having a pair of distal ends and a circumferential gap having a length extending longitudinally along the tube, the circumferential gap defining two longitudinal edges of the tube;   (b) wherein the tube has a generally circular cross-section; and   (c) wherein the tube is dimensioned to receive and removably retain a roll of a pliable material that is configured to rotate relative to the tube to permit a desired length of the pliable material to be unrolled and withdrawn from the tube through the circumferential gap.   
   
   
       2 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable material is wrapping paper. 
   
   
       3 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable material is aluminum foil. 
   
   
       4 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable material is wax paper. 
   
   
       5 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is configured to permit shearing of the desired length of the pliable material from the roll of pliable material using one of the two longitudinal edges. 
   
   
       6 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein one of the two longitudinal edges is usable as a guide for cutting or tearing the desired length of the pliable material. 
   
   
       7 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal edges of the tube are rounded proximate each distal end of the tube. 
   
   
       8 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the circumferential gap is generally equal to a length of the tube. 
   
   
       9 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the circumferential gap is less than a length of the tube. 
   
   
       10 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) the tube comprises a semirigid, resilient material;   (b) the tube is configured to transition between an expanded configuration, wherein the longitudinal edges are spaced apart sufficiently to permit placement of the roll of pliable material in the tube, and a relaxed configuration, wherein the longitudinal edges are spaced closer together than in the expanded configuration and the roll of pliable material is retained in the tube; and   (c) the longitudinal edges are biased to return to the relaxed configuration.   
   
   
       11 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential gap subtends an angle of less than thirty degrees. 
   
   
       12 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the tube is transparent. 
   
   
       13 . A pliable sheet dispenser comprising:
 (a) a tube comprised of a resilient, semi-rigid material and having a pair of distal ends and a circumferential gap having a length extending longitudinally along the tube, the circumferential gap defining two longitudinal edges of the tube;   (b) wherein the tube has a generally circular cross-section;   (c) wherein the tube is dimensioned to receive and removably retain a roll of a pliable material that is configured to rotate relative to the tube to permit a desired length of the pliable material to be unrolled and withdrawn from the tube through the circumferential gap;   (d) wherein the length of the circumferential gap is generally equal to a length of the tube;   (e) wherein the tube is configured to transition between an expanded configuration, wherein the longitudinal edges are spaced apart sufficiently to permit placement of the roll of pliable material in the tube, and a relaxed configuration, wherein the longitudinal edges are spaced closer together than in the expanded configuration and the roll of pliable material is retained in the tube; and   (f) wherein the longitudinal edges are biased to return to the relaxed configuration.   
   
   
       14 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the longitudinal edges of the tube are rounded proximate each distal end of the tube. 
   
   
       15 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the tube is configured to permit shearing of the desired length of the pliable material from the roll of pliable material using one of the two longitudinal edges. 
   
   
       16 . The pliable sheet dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein one of the two longitudinal edges is usable as a guide for cutting or tearing the desired length of the pliable material. 
   
   
       17 . A method of dispensing a sheet of pliable material using a tube having a pair of distal ends and a generally circular cross-section with a circumferential gap, the circumferential gap defining two longitudinal edges of the tube, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) securing a roll of a pliable material generally within the tube;   (b) withdrawing a loose edge of the pliable material from within the tube between the two edges of the tube until a desired length of the pliable material has been withdrawn from the tube;   (c) separating the desired length of the pliable material, using one of the two edges of the tube, from a remainder of the roll of pliable material.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of separating the desired length of the pliable material comprises shearing the desired length of the pliable material from a remainder of the rolled up pliable sheet using one of the two edges of the tube. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of separating the desired length of the pliable material comprises cutting the desired length of the pliable material from a remainder of the rolled up pliable sheet using one of the two edges of the tube as a guide for scissors, a blade, or other cutting utensil. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of separating the desired length of the pliable material comprises cutting or tearing the desired length of the pliable material from a remainder of the rolled up pliable sheet using one of the two edges of the tube as a straight edge for performing the cutting or tearing.