Apparatus for protecting and dispensing paper products

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting and dispensing sheet material comprised of a semi-flexible sheet is disclosed. The semi-flexible sheet may be radially collapsed into a cylindrical shape to cover and protect a roll of sheet material. The semi-flexible sheet comprises a leading end and a distal end. When the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsed over the roll of sheet material, the leading end covers the distal end and a portion of the semi-flexible sheet creating a gap, the sheet may be positioned in the gap created and allows the sheet material to pass between the leading end and the distal end for dispensing. The apparatus may include a first end cap operatively connected to the semi-flexible sheet and located at the first side edge and a second end cap operatively connected to the semi-flexible sheet and located at the second side edge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for protecting and dispensing sheet material, the apparatus comprising a semi-flexible sheet having:
 a leading end and a distal end, wherein the semi-flexible sheet is partially tapered in width from the leading end to the distal end;   a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein the first side edge and the second side edge comprise attachment means adjacent to the leading end for releasably attaching a portion of the semi-flexible sheet,   wherein the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsible upon a roll of sheet material such that the first side edge and the second side edge form a cylindrical shape about the roll of sheet material, wherein upon radially collapsing upon the roll of sheet material the leading end overlays the distal end and a portion of the semi-flexible sheet such that a portion of the roll of sheet material is compressed between the overlaid leading end and distal end;   the apparatus further comprising a first end cap operatively connected to the semi-flexible sheet and located at the first side edge, wherein the first end cap covers at least a portion of the roll of sheet material, and a second end cap operatively connected to the semi-flexible sheet and located at the second side edge, wherein the second end cap covers at least a portion of the roll of sheet material.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means comprises a J shaped clip, wherein one clip is connected to the first side edge proximate to the leading end and a second clip is connected to the second side edge proximate to the leading end, wherein the clips are directed inward towards the semi-flexible sheet to receive and releasably attached the first side edge and the second side edge proximate to the distal end. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the leading end of the semi-flexible sheet is at least equal to or greater than a height of the roll of sheet material, and wherein the height of the distal end is at least equal to or less than the height of the leading end. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-flexible sheet further comprises at a first end cover attached perpendicularly to the first side edge and a second end cover attached perpendicularly to the second side edge, wherein the first and second end cover covers at least a portion of an end of a roll of sheet material, wherein the first and second end cover comprises angled spaces configured to prevent the end cover from binding when the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsed. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-flexible sheet further comprises ribs that are positioned on at least one surface of the semi-flexible sheet, wherein the ribs are positioned to inhibit axial travel of the roll of sheet material and allow the sheet material to be dispensed. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the semi-flexible sheet from the distal end to the leading end is greater than a circumference of the roll of sheet material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-flexible sheet comprises a plastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-flexible sheet further comprises a notch located on the leading end, wherein the notch allows for grasping of the sheet material compressed between the overlay created by the leading end and the distal end, and wherein when the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsed, the notch reveals the sheet material. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the leading end of the semi-flexible sheet further comprises a gripping surface directed towards the sheet material when the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsed, wherein the gripping surface is a series of serrations. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the gripping surface allows passage of the sheet material past the gripping edge when force is applied to the sheet material perpendicular to a front surface of the leading end, and wherein the gripping surface grips the sheet material when force is applied to the sheet material perpendicular to the leading end. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material is a disposable paper product. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus provides environmental protection to the roll of sheet material, wherein environmental protection comprises at least moisture protection, dust protection, and abrasion protection. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end cap further comprises an aperture concentrically located on the first end cap, wherein a diameter of the aperture permits passage of a holder for the roll of sheet material. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for protecting and dispensing sheet material comprising a semi-flexible sheet having:
 a leading end and a distal end, wherein the leading end of the semi-flexible sheet further comprises a notch located along a center of the leading end;   a first side edge and a second side edge,   wherein the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsible upon a roll of sheet material such that the first side edge and the second side edge form a cylindrical shape about the roll of sheet material, wherein upon radially collapsing upon the roll of sheet material the leading end overlays the distal end and a portion of the semi-flexible sheet such that a portion of the roll of sheet material is compressed between the overlaid leading end and distal end, wherein when the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsed, the notch reveals the sheet material and allows for grasping of sheet material;   a first end cap operatively connected to the semi-flexible sheet and located at the first side edge, wherein the first end cap covers at least a portion of the roll of sheet material, and a second end cap operatively connected to the semi-flexible sheet and located at the second side edge, wherein the second end cap covers at least a portion of the roll of sheet material; and   a gripping surface located along at least a portion of the leading end, wherein the gripping surface is configured to allow travel of the sheet material when pulled tangentially to the leading end without damaging the sheet material, and wherein the gripping surface is configured to grip the material when pulled perpendicularly to the leading end.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first side edge and the second side edge comprise attachment means adjacent to the leading end for releasably attaching a portion of the semi-flexible sheet. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the sheet material is a disposable paper product. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the leading end of the semi-flexible sheet further comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and a front surface, wherein the top surface integrates into the semi-flexible sheet, wherein the front surface defines the leading end of the semi-flexible sheet, and wherein the bottom surface comprises the gripping surface that collapses upon a portion of the semi-flexible sheet when radially collapsed, wherein the gripping surface is a series of semi-ridged plastic serrations. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the semi-flexible sheet is made of a plastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus provides environmental protection to the roll of sheet material, wherein environmental protection comprises at least moisture protection, dust protection, and abrasion protection. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the semi-flexible sheet further comprises at a first end cover attached perpendicularly to the first side edge and a second end cover attached perpendicularly to the second side edge, wherein the first and second end cover covers at least a portion of an end of a roll of sheet material, wherein the first and second end cover comprises angled spaces configured to prevent the end cover from binding when the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsed.