Patent Application
20220378257
The present invention relates generally to the field of paper towel holders. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved paper towel holder device that eliminates the need for users to share the same drying towel, which can transmit germs. The device is designed to be mounted to a wall or refrigerator and can be used in the kitchen or the bathroom. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in paper towel holders for both the kitchen and the bathroom. Often, the only option in the kitchen and/or the bathroom for drying off one's hands, is a communal towel. However, using the same towel as everyone else, can be unsanitary and is a common way to transmit germs. Additionally, the communal towel would need to be laundered frequently.
Furthermore, conventional paper towel rolls tend to need a more ideal means of supporting a spindle of the roll upon a holder frame, so that it is easier to remove for reloading, when needed, but which will be firmly held in place when the end of the paper towel roll is pulled and torn off.
Thus, it is necessary for users to be able to utilize disposable paper towels in a kitchen and/or bathroom without having to share the same drying towel, which can transmit germs. Generally, the paper towel holder device needs to comprise a stable center rod for securely retaining the paper towel roll on the holder device. Therefore, users require a paper towel holder device that ensures that a roll of paper towels are always accessible when needed, and that provides a more stable structure for retaining a paper towel roll.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that provides users with a paper towel holder for both the bathroom and the kitchen. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that eliminates the need for individuals to share the same drying towel, which can transmit germs. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that ensures that a roll of paper towels is always accessible when needed. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that features a magnetic variation of the device that enables a roll of paper towels to be conveniently adhered to the side of a refrigerator. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that offers an extended version that also holds a roll of toilet paper and is mounted to a bathroom wall. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that can be mounted using adhesive or hardware.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a paper towel holder device. The device is designed to ensure that a roll of paper towels is always accessible when needed. The device comprises a housing mounted to a wall or refrigerator and a center, spring-loaded dowel rod that pulls back to allow the rod to be removed from between a pair of opposing mounting ends, similar to a toilet paper roll dispenser. The wall-mounted version can be mounted using adhesive or hardware. The kitchen version is magnetic, such that it can be secured to a side of the refrigerator via a plurality of magnets. Further, the device can comprise an extended center, dowel rod that retains both a paper towel roll and a toilet paper roll at the same time.
In this manner, the paper towel holder device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a device that is designed to mount a paper towel roll to a wall or refrigerator and can be used in the kitchen or the bathroom. The device ensures that a roll of paper towels is always accessible when needed. The device eliminates the need for users to share the same drying towel, which can transmit germs.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a paper towel holder device. The device is designed to ensure that a roll of paper towels is always accessible when needed. The device comprises a housing mounted to a wall or refrigerator, a pair of opposing mounting ends, and a center, spring-loaded dowel rod that pulls back to allow the rod to be removed from between the pair of opposing mounting ends, similar to a toilet paper roll dispenser.
In one embodiment, the paper towel holder device comprises a housing which houses the paper towel roll. The housing can be any suitable size and shape as is known in the art, as long as it is sized and shaped to retain a standard size paper towel roll. In this embodiment, the housing is rectangular and spans the length of a paper towel roll. At either end of the housing, a mounting end is secured. The mounting end can be an integral piece with the housing, or the mounting ends can be separate components secured to the housing via any suitable securing means as is known in the art, such as adhesives, screws, bolts, etc. The mounting ends are secured to the housing such that they extend out approximately 90 degrees from the housing, forming a right angle with the housing. The mounting ends act to secure the center dowel rod or spindle to the housing. The center dowel rod is removably receivable upon the mounting ends, for supporting a paper towel roll thereupon.
In one embodiment, the center dowel rod is cylindrical in shape and sized to span the length of a standard paper towel roll. The center dowel rod is inserted into the hollow center of a paper towel roll, such that the paper towel roll is retained on the center dowel rod. The center dowel rod can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, as long as the shape of the dowel rod allows the dowel rod to rotate within the paper towel roll. Once the paper towel roll is inserted onto the dowel rod, the dowel rod is inserted onto the mounting ends and secured. Thus, the paper towel roll can then be accessed from the housing.
In another embodiment, the dowel rod comprises two telescoping components, wherein the first component fits within the second component. Further, a spring is then inserted between the telescoping components such that when the opposing ends of the dowel rod are pushed together, the dowel rod compresses together, releasing the ends of the dowel rod from the mounting ends. This allows a user to change the paper towel roll when empty.
In one embodiment, the housing can be wall-mounted, or mounted on a refrigerator. Specifically, if wall-mounted, the housing comprises at least one hole, for receiving a screw or other fastener, for securement to a wall. Further, the back of the housing could also comprise adhesives to mount the device to a wall. If mounted to a refrigerator, the device comprises a plurality of magnets secured to the back of the housing for mounting to a refrigerator. Any other suitable securing means as is known in the art can be utilized to mount the device to a wall or refrigerator. Additionally, the sides of the opposing mounting ends each include a shallow groove formed therein for supporting the dowel rod therebetween. Each groove accepts an end of the dowel rod. Specifically, the ends of the dowel rod comprise a knob or other protrusion which rests in, and is retained within, the groove of the mounting ends. The groove is made slightly wider than the knob or protrusion, so as to serve as a comfortable seat, in which the dowel rod end can rest or rotate.
In another embodiment, the paper towel holder device comprises an extended dowel rod. The extended dowel rod is sized to retain both a paper towel roll and a toilet paper roll, such that both rolls can be placed on the dowel rod for use. Thus, the device can be mounted in a bathroom for use.
In one embodiment, the paper towel holder device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In operative use, a roll of paper towels is fitted on the dowel rod, by inserting the dowel rod through the central hole (or hollow center) of the paper towel roll, and then sliding the dowel rod ends into the grooves of the mounting ends. The device is now ready for use. The paper towel holder device may be manufactured in different sizes, for either paper towels and/or bathroom tissue, or be made up in sets for both.
It is to be noted, that the dowel rod will not pop out of the grooves when the paper towel roll is pulled to unwind a portion of it from the roll, the dowel rod remains in the bottom of the grooves even if the paper towel roll is pulled in a slightly upwardly direction. To replace the paper towel roll, simply compress the dowel rod and it will telescope together, easily moving the dowel rod ends from the grooves of the mounting ends.
In one embodiment, the paper towel holder device is manufactured from any suitable material as is known in the art, such as metal, hardwood or a rigid plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride, (PVC), or polycarbonate, etc. Further, the paper towel holder device can be either transparent, or manufactured in various colors, so as to harmonize with the decor of a room.
In yet another embodiment, the paper towel holder device is manufactured from a material that is water resistant.
In yet another embodiment, a method of providing paper towels in both the kitchen and the bathroom is described. The method includes the steps of providing a paper towel holder device comprising a center, spring-loaded dowel rod for removing and reloading the paper towel rolls. The method also comprises mounting the paper towel holder device to a wall or a refrigerator, wherein the wall-mounted device is mounted using adhesive or hardware, and the refrigerated-mounted device is mounted using magnets. Further, the method comprises removing the center, spring-loaded dowel rod by compressing the ends to the middle and pulling the dowel rod out from the device. The method comprises inserting a paper towel roll on the dowel rod. Finally, placing the paper towel roll and dowel rod back on the device for use.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that provides users with a paper towel holder for both the bathroom and the kitchen. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that eliminates the need for individuals to share the same drying towel, which can transmit germs. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that ensures that a roll of paper towels is always accessible when needed. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that features a magnetic variation of the device that enables a roll of paper towels to be conveniently adhered to the side of a refrigerator. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that offers an extended version that also holds a roll of toilet paper and is mounted to a bathroom wall. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that can be mounted using adhesive or hardware.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel paper towel holder device. The device is designed to ensure that a roll of paper towels is always accessible when needed. The device comprises a housing mounted to a wall or refrigerator and a center, spring-loaded dowel rod that pulls back to allow the rod to be removed from between a pair of opposing mounting ends. The wall-mounted version can be mounted using adhesive or hardware. The kitchen version is magnetic, such that it can be secured to a side of the refrigerator via a plurality of magnets. The present invention also includes a novel method of providing paper towels in both the kitchen and the bathroom. The method includes the steps of providing a paper towel holder device comprising a center, spring-loaded dowel rod for removing and reloading the paper towel rolls. The method also comprises mounting the paper towel holder device to a wall or a refrigerator, wherein the wall-mounted device is mounted using adhesive or hardware, and the refrigerated-mounted device is mounted using magnets. Further, the method comprises removing the center, spring-loaded dowel rod by compressing the ends to the middle and pulling the dowel rod out from the device. The method comprises inserting a paper towel roll on the support rod. Finally, placing the paper towel roll and dowel rod back on the device for use.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Specifically, the paper towel holder device 100 comprises a housing 108 which houses the paper towel roll 102. The housing 108 can be any suitable size and shape as is known in the art, as long as it is sized and shaped to retain a standard size paper towel roll 102. In this embodiment, the housing 108 is rectangular and spans the length of a paper towel roll 102. At either end 114 of the housing 108, a mounting end 110 is secured. The mounting end 110 can be an integral piece with the housing 108, or the mounting ends 110 can be separate components secured to the housing 108 via any suitable securing means as is known in the art, such as adhesives, screws, bolts, etc. The mounting ends 110 are secured to the housing 108 such that they extend out approximately 90 degrees from the housing 108 forming a right angle with the housing 108. The mounting ends 110 act to secure the center dowel rod 112 or spindle to the housing 108. The center dowel rod 112 is removably receivable upon the mounting ends 110 for supporting a paper towel roll 102 thereupon.
Further, the center dowel rod 112 is cylindrical in shape and sized to span the length of a standard paper towel roll 102. The center dowel rod 112 is inserted into the hollow center 116 of a paper towel roll 102, such that the paper towel roll 102 is retained on the center dowel rod 112. The center dowel rod 112 can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, as long as the shape of the dowel rod 112 allows the dowel rod 112 to rotate within the paper towel roll 102. Once the paper towel roll 102 is inserted onto the dowel rod 112, the dowel rod 112 is inserted onto the mounting ends 110 and secured. Thus, the paper towel roll 102 can then be accessed from the housing 108.
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In one embodiment, the paper towel holder device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 404. Specifically, the paper towel holder device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the housing 108, mounting ends 110, and dowel rod 112, or any other indicia 404 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 404 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be paper towel/brand related.
In operative use, as shown in
It is to be noted, that the dowel rod 112 will not pop out of the grooves 308 when the paper towel roll 102 is pulled, to unwind a portion of it from the roll 102, the dowel rod 112 remains in the bottom of the grooves 308, even if the paper towel roll 102 is pulled in a slightly upwardly direction. To replace the paper towel roll 102, simply compress the dowel rod 112 and it will telescope together, easily moving the dowel rod ends 124 from the grooves 308 of the mounting ends 110.
In one embodiment, the paper towel holder device 100 is manufactured from any suitable material as is known in the art, such as metal, hardwood or a rigid plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride, (PVC), or polycarbonate, etc. Further, the paper towel holder device 100 can be either transparent, or manufactured in various colors, so as to harmonize with the decor of a room. Generally, the paper towel holder device 100 is also manufactured from a material that is water resistant or water permeable, or the housing 108 comprises a coating that is water resistant or water permeable.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “paper towel holder device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the paper towel holder device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the paper towel holder device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the paper towel holder device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/192,614, which was filed on May 25, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63192614 | May 2021 | US |
