Core Replacement System

Abstract

A core replacement system for a dispenser of rolled sheet material, having a core for supporting said rolled sheet material and a part insertable in the core, wherein the core is complementary to and engagable with the part such that it rotates with the core. The core is preferably made of extruded plastic, although injection molded plastic, metal or would also work. The core replacement system enables manufacturers to control which types or brands of paper are used with specified dispensers.

1 . A core replacement system for a dispenser of rolled sheet material, comprising: 
 (a) a core having a body around which can be rolled a sheet material and a keyway extending into the body; and    (b) a core interface mountable to the dispenser and having an extending key with a cross-section complementary to and engagable with the keyway.    
   
   
       2 . A core replacement system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least part of the keyway and at least part of the key have non-cylindrical cross-sections.  
   
   
       3 . A core replacement system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the interface comprises a plate for mounting to the dispenser and a rotatable part rotatably mounted to the plate and comprising the key.  
   
   
       4 . A core replacement system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the rotatable part has a rotational axis and the key extends parallel to and off the rotatable part axis.  
   
   
       5 . A core replacement system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the keyway is located on the body such that the core rotates about the centreline of the body when the core is mounted to the core interface.  
   
   
       6 . A core replacement system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the key has a distal end with a pointed portion facing the rotatable part axis.  
   
   
       7 . A core replacement system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein at least part of the key and at least part of the keyway have a circular sector cross section.  
   
   
       8 . A core replacement system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein at least part of the key and at least part of the keyway have a semi-circular cross section.  
   
   
       9 . A core replacement system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the core body has four keyways each having a quarter-circular cross section.  
   
   
       10 . A core replacement system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein at least part of the key and at least part of the keyway have a simple polygonal cross-section.  
   
   
       11 . A rolled sheet dispenser comprising: a housing and a core interface mounted to the housing and having an extending key with a cross-section complementary to and engagable with a keyway in a core, the core having a body around which can be rolled a sheet material and the keyway extending into the body.  
   
   
       12 . A rolled sheet dispenser as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least part of the keyway and at least part of the key have non-cylindrical cross-sections.  
   
   
       13 . A rolled sheet dispenser as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the interface comprises a rotatable part rotatably mounted to the housing and comprising the key.  
   
   
       14 . A rolled sheet dispenser as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the rotatable part has a rotational axis and the key extends parallel to and off the rotatable part axis.  
   
   
       15 . A rolled sheet dispenser as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the keyway is located on the body such that the core rotates about the centreline of the body when the core is mounted to the core interface.  
   
   
       16 . A rolled sheet dispenser as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the key has a distal end with a pointed portion facing the rotatable part axis.  
   
   
       17 . A rolled sheet dispenser as claimed in  claim 12  wherein at least part of the key and at least part of the keyway have a circular sector cross section.  
   
   
       18 . A rolled sheet dispenser as claimed in  claim 17  wherein at least part of the key and at least part of the keyway have a semi-circular cross section.  
   
   
       19 . A rolled sheet dispenser as claimed in  claim 12  wherein at least part of the key and at least part of the keyway have a simple polygonal cross-section.  
   
   
       20 . A method of manufacturing a core replacement system comprising: 
 (a) manufacturing a core having a body around which can be rolled a sheet material and a keyway extending into the body by a method selected from the group consisting of injection molding, extrusion, and machining; and    (b) manufacturing a core interface comprising a plate mountable to a dispenser and a rotatable portion rotatably mountable to the plate and having an extending key with a cross-section complementary to and engagable with the keyway, by a method selected from the group consisting of injection molding, extrusion and machining.