Device and method for storing and dispensing rolled material

Abstract

A device and method for storing and dispensing rolled material are disclosed. The device for storing and dispensing rolled material supports one or more rolls of material, such as wrapping paper. The rolls may be rotated to select a desired roll. A desired roll may have a desired length of material extended from the device without removing the roll from its support within the device. The desired length of material may be cut using a hand tool or using an attached cutting component, which may rotate into position for cutting or may slide along the material as it cuts it. The device may also be enclosed in a storage container, which may be partially or completely opened to access a desired roll of material. The container may also include additional compartments for supplies, such as ribbons.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rolled material dispenser, comprising:
 a first elongated body, having a first end and a second end and at least one surface extending between the first end and the second end and defining an axis extending through the first end and through the second end;   a first retention element; and   a first rotation feature connected to the first elongated body;   wherein the first retention element is configured to support a roll of rolled material, and wherein the first retention element is rotatable about the axis.   
     
     
         2 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 1 , further wherein the first retention element is rotatably connected to the first elongated body such that the first retention element rotates about the axis and relative to the first elongated body. 
     
     
         3 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 1 , further wherein the first elongated body is rotatable about the axis at the first rotation feature and the first retention element rotates about the axis simultaneously with the first elongated body. 
     
     
         4 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 3 , further comprising a second retention element connected to the first elongated body and closer to the second end along the axis than to the first end, and further wherein the first retention element is located proximal to either the first end or the second end, and wherein the second retention element rotates about the axis simultaneously with the first retention element. 
     
     
         5 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 3 , further comprising a second retention element connected to the first elongated body and closer to the second end along the axis than to the first end, and further wherein the first retention element defines a first at least partial cylindrical cavity which is configured to support the roll of rolled material, and the second retention element defines a second at least partial cylindrical cavity, and wherein the first retention element further defines a first opening extending generally perpendicular to the axis, and the second retention element defines a second opening extending generally perpendicular to the axis. 
     
     
         6 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 3 , further comprising a second retention element connected to the first elongated body and closer to the second end along the axis than to the first end, and further wherein the first retention element comprises a first at least partial cylinder which is configured to support the roll of rolled material and extends generally away from the first end towards the second end, and further wherein the second retention element comprises a first at least partial cylinder which is configured to support the roll of rolled material and extends generally away from the second end towards the first end. 
     
     
         7 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 3 , further wherein the first retention element extends substantially along the axial length of the first elongated body, and further wherein the first retention element defines a first at least partial cylindrical cavity which is configured to support the roll of rolled material, and wherein the first retention element further defines a first opening extending generally perpendicular to the axis, and further wherein the first retention element further comprises a cutting edge located proximal to an edge of the first opening. 
     
     
         8 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 3 , further comprising a cutting component configured to cut a portion of rolled material extending away from the rolled material dispenser while the roll of rolled material is supported by the first retention element. 
     
     
         9 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 8 , further wherein the cutting component is rotatably connected to the rolled material dispenser. 
     
     
         10 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 8 , further wherein the cutting component is slidably connected to the rolled material dispenser, wherein the cutting component can slide parallel to the axis. 
     
     
         11 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 8 , further comprising a rotational locking element and further wherein the cutting component is fixedly connected to the rolled material dispenser. 
     
     
         12 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 1 , further where the first retention element is unitary with the elongated body. 
     
     
         13 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 12 , further comprising a second elongated body which is connected to the first elongated body such that the second elongated body rotates about the axis when the first elongated body rotates about the axis. 
     
     
         14 . The rolled material dispenser according to  claim 13 , further wherein the first elongated body comprises a first keying feature and the second elongated body is connected to the first elongated body by means of a connector element, and wherein the connector element comprises a second keying feature which is configured to induce rotation in the second elongated body about the axis when the first elongated body rotates about the axis at least partially by means of the second keying feature. 
     
     
         15 . A storage system for rolled material, comprising:
 a rolled material dispenser defining an axis and comprising a first retention element configured to support at least one roll of rolled material; and   a substantially flat platform;   wherein the first retention element is rotatably connected to the storage system such that it is rotatable along the axis and relative to the substantially flat platform.   
     
     
         16 . The storage system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a cutting component connected to the substantially flat platform. 
     
     
         17 . The storage system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a cutting component which is rotatably connected to the storage system. 
     
     
         18 . The storage system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a cutting component which is slidably connected to the storage system. 
     
     
         19 . The storage system according to  claim 12 , further comprising an enclosure which substantially surrounds the rolled material dispenser on at least three sides, and further comprising a first face which may be opened to provide access to the at least one roll of rolled material. 
     
     
         20 . A method of dispensing rolled material, comprising:
 storing a plurality of rolls of rolled material on at least one retention element within a storage container, wherein the at least one retention element is rotatably connected to the storage container, and wherein the storage container further comprises at least one openable face;   opening the at least one openable face of the storage container;   rotating the at least one retention element to select a desired roll from the plurality of rolls of rolled material;   extending a desired length of the desired roll without removing the desired roll from the at least one retention element; and   cutting the desired length of the desired roll without removing the desired roll from the at least one retention element.