Adapter element for a paper roll and relative dispenser with rotatable axis equipped with this adapter element

Abstract

An adapter element configured for insertion inside the core of a paper roll to be applied to the support shaft of a dispenser includes an external annular wall adapted for insertion into the core of the paper roll with a predetermined degree of mechanical interference; an axial channel delimited by an annular wall arranged internally to the external annular wall; and first engaging elements configured for releasable engagement to second engaging elements belonging to the support shaft of the dispenser so that, in use, a portion of the end of the support shaft is insertable into the axial channel of the adapter element. A dispenser is also disclosed having the support shaft adaptable for engagement with the adapter element.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adapter element ( 11 ) configured for being insertable inside a core ( 110 ) of a paper roll ( 100 ) to be applied to a support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) of a dispenser ( 10 ) for paper rolls, said adapter element comprising:
 an external annular wall ( 12 ) configured for being inserted into the core ( 110 ) of the paper roll with a predetermined degree of mechanical interference; and   an axial channel ( 14   c ) delimited by an annular wall ( 14 ,  14 ′) arranged internally to the external annular wall ( 12 ) and comprising first engaging elements ( 15   a ) configured for being engaged in releasable manner to second engaging elements ( 15   b ) belonging to said support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) of the dispenser so that, in use, an end portion ( 7   s ) of said support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) can be engaged in said axial channel ( 14   c ) of the adapter element ( 11 ),   wherein said first engaging elements ( 15   a ) are configured to be engaged to said second engaging elements ( 15   b ), so that said adapter element ( 11 ) is rotatable in idle manner around said support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) to which said adapter element ( 11 ) is engaged in use.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter element ( 11 ), according to  claim 1 , wherein said adapter element ( 11 ) has an excess ( 13 ′) which extends radially from the external annular wall ( 12 ) so as to form an annular abutment, which forms an end stroke for an insertion of the adapter element within the core of the paper roll with said first engaging elements ( 15   a ) arranged on an opposite part to said annular abutment. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter element ( 11 ), according to  claim 1 , wherein said external annular wall ( 12 ) is provided with one or more wedges ( 16 ). 
     
     
         4 . The adapter element ( 11 ), according to  claim 1 , wherein said external annular wall ( 12 ) is configured so as to have a predetermined degree of flexibility. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter element ( 11 ), according to  claim 1 , wherein said external annular wall ( 12 ) is of cylindrical shape and is configured for forming a pilot path at an end thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter element ( 11 ), according to  claim 1 , wherein said first engaging elements ( 15   a ) are shaped as a tooth ( 15   a ) and said annular wall ( 14 ,  14 ′), on which said tooth is arranged, is configured to be elastically deformable so that, in use, when the support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) is inserted into the axial channel delimited by said annular wall ( 14 ,  14 ′), said annular wall is elastically deformed enabling said tooth to pass over a second tooth ( 15   b ) belonging to the end portion of the support shaft by locking itself against said second tooth once passed over said second tooth. 
     
     
         7 . An assembly for constraining a paper roll fitted with a core to a dispenser, said assembly comprising:
 an adapter element ( 11 ); and   a support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ), said adapter element and said support shaft being configured for being insertable inside said core ( 110 ) of said paper roll ( 100 ) so as to engage to each other in a releasable manner;   said adapter element ( 11 ) comprising an external annular wall ( 12 ) configured for being inserted into the core ( 110 ) of the paper roll with a predetermined degree of mechanical interference, said support shaft being configured for being inserted into the core of the paper roll, so that the paper roll unobstructedly rotates around said support shaft, said adapter element ( 11 ) further comprising an axial channel ( 14   c ) delimited by an annular wall ( 14 ,  14 ′) arranged internally to the external annular wall ( 12 ) and comprising first engaging elements ( 15   a ) engaging in a releasable manner to second engaging elements ( 15   b ) belonging to said support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) so that, in use, a portion of an end ( 7   s ) of said support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) can be engaged in said axial channel ( 14   c ) of the adapter element ( 11 ), said first engaging elements ( 15   a ) being configured so as to be constrained to said second engaging elements ( 15   b ) so that said adapter element ( 11 ) is rotatable in idle manner around said support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ).   
     
     
         8 . The assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein said adapter element ( 11 ) has an excess ( 13 ′) which extends radially from the external annular surface ( 12 ) to form an annular abutment, which forms an end stroke for an insertion of the adapter element within the core of the paper roll and with said first engaging elements ( 15   a ) arranged on an opposite side to said annular abutment. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly, according to  claim 7 , further comprising a rotatable element ( 4 ) configured for being connected in rotatable manner to the dispenser so that said rotatable element ( 4 ) is rotatable in idle manner around an axis of rotation orthogonal thereto, wherein connection elements ( 50 ,  51 ), for connecting in fixed manner said support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) to said rotatable element, are provided. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly, according to  claim 9 , wherein said connection elements comprise an axial channel obtained in the support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) and a hole arranged in the rotatable element within which a fastening screw is applied and constrained in the axial channel of the support shaft for connecting in fixed manner the support shaft to said rotatable element. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly, according to  claim 10 , wherein said rotatable element comprises a rim ( 51 ) which protrudes orthogonally from the rotatable element ( 4 ) and is configured for inserting in a receiving annular cavity of the support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) so as to form a centering system which ensures coaxiality between the axial channel of the support shaft and the hole of the rotatable element for fastening the fastening screw. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein said external annular surface ( 12 ) is fitted with one or more wedges ( 16 ). 
     
     
         13 . The assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein said external annular surface ( 12 ) is configured to have a predetermined degree of flexibility. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein a shape of said external annular surface ( 12 ) is cylindrical and is configured for forming a pilot path at an end thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein said first engaging elements ( 15   a ) are in form of a tooth ( 15   a ) and said annular wall ( 14 ,  14 ′), on which said tooth is arranged, is configured so as to be elastically deformable so that, in use, when the support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) is inserted in the channel delimited by said annular wall ( 14 ,  14 ′), said annular wall is elastically deformed, thus enabling said tooth to pass over a second tooth ( 15   b ) belonging to an end of the shaft, thus blocking itself in contrast against said second tooth once said second tooth has been passed over. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein said support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) has an anterior part divided into two symmetrical halves ( 7 A,  7 B) through a longitudinal notch, which runs along a part of a longitudinal length of the support shaft so as to generate two flexible walls ( 7 A,  7 B) spaced from each other through said notch, each of the two flexible walls being provided with said second engaging elements. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly, according to  claim 9 , wherein said rotatable element is configured as a plate. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly, according to  claim 9 , wherein said rotatable element comprises at least two support shafts. 
     
     
         19 . A dispenser ( 10 ) for paper rolls comprising:
 a container body ( 2 ); and   an assembly according to  claim 7 .   
     
     
         20 . The dispenser ( 10 ), according to  claim 19 , wherein the rotatable element ( 4 ) of the assembly comprises three support shafts ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) arranged so that said rotatable element ( 4 ) is rotatable towards a direction of rotation due to the force of gravity when at least one of said support shafts are loaded with a respective paper roll. 
     
     
         21 . The dispenser ( 10 ), according to  claim 19 , further comprising an abutment surface ( 4 B) arranged at a distance from a longitudinal axis of the support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) equal or greater than a diameter of the core of the paper roll to be supported by said support shaft ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ).