Patent Application
20150374182
Not applicable
Not applicable
Dispensing of toilet tissue in roll form is well known in the art. Typical dispensers for tissue rolls generally include a base that is attached to a wall or other supporting surface, and support arms that extend transversely from the base. A spindle is inserted through the roll and engaged in recesses or divots at the ends of the support arms.
Numerous dispensers have been developed in the art specifically for dispensing stacked individual tissue sheets. Such dispensers typically permit the user to remove any number of sheets one at a time in a manner such that the adjacent sheet is presented for easy grasping and removal from the dispenser. Efforts have been made to incorporate such dispensers with existing conventional rolled product dispensing fixtures so that the dispenser need not be separately mounted.
One embodiment provides an improved folded tissue sheet dispenser adapted for configuration with conventional roll product dispensing fixtures.
While certain novel features of this invention shown and described below are pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of the invention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being “critical” or “essential.”
The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is a improved folded tissue sheet dispenser adapted for configuration with conventional roll product dispensing fixtures.
One embodiment provides a supplemental sheet dispenser compatible with conventional toilet paper dispensing systems.
One embodiment provides a supplemental sheet dispenser wherein the sheets may be pre-wetted and supplied in substantially sealed container with sealable access door. In one embodiment the container can include extendable connecting arms which can detachably connect to a conventional toilet paper dispenser.
One embodiment provides a dispenser for dry sheets which can be wetted by a liquid added to the container component by the user or consumer.
In one embodiment is provided a supplemental dispenser for detachably mounting on a conventional toilet paper dispenser, the apparatus having a container component adapted to accept or pre-loaded with wetted, self-wetting or wettable sheet material.
In one embodiment is provided releasable attachment mechanism for the container housing for detachably mounting on a conventional toilet paper dispenser.
In one embodiment is provided a detachable mount having extendable arms for attachment of the container conventional toilet-tissue dispenser to releasably engage a toilet-tissue supporting rod or spindle of the dispenser.
One embodiment provides a supplementary dispenser configured for dispensing a supply of wipes and/or folded tissues from a dispenser fixture that has extendable and retractable support arms. The fixture may be, for example, a conventional tissue roll dispenser wherein the support arms include a opening at their ends into which the ends of a rod or spindle are received. The rod spindle is typically inserted through a core or hollow member provided in the bathroom tissue roll. In various embodiments the toilet paper dispenser can be a “stand alone” dispenser with a rod or spindle, and in various embodiments the rod or spindle can be permanently attached to the stand alone toilet paper dispenser.
The supplemental dispenser includes a housing container having an internal compartment volume configured to retain a supply of folded issue sheets. The housing is not limited to any particular style, configuration, or shape, and may take on any aesthetically pleasing configuration and be made of any conventional material.
In one embodiment, the housing is an elongated box-like structure. The housing may be refillable, or can be a disposable item to be discarded after depletion of the tissue supply. It should also be appreciated that the dispenser is not limited to any particular type of product to be dispensed, but is particularly well suited for dispensing a stack of interfolded tissue sheets. The tissue sheets may be dry or pre-moistened.
A dispensing opening is defined in a wall of the housing. The opening may be, for example, a door in a top surface, bottom surface, or side surface of the housing. The opening provides a location for a consumer to easily access, grasp, and pull individual tissue sheets from the dispenser.
Retractable and extendable support arms can be provided on opposed exterior side walls of the container housing. Each support arm can include an opening with a shape and configuration for engagement with a portion of a spindle. In various embodiments the retraction and extension can be obtained by pivoting or rotational type movements while in other embodiments can be obtained by sliding type movements.
In one embodiment the support arms can be extendable and retractable in positions along their respective tracks allowing the container housing to be adaptable with different fixtures having varying length support arms along with allowing the container housing to provide frictional resistance to the roll of toilet paper. In one particular embodiment, the support arms are variably positionable along their tracks. In one embodiment a releasable engagement mechanism is provided between each support arm and the container housing, which can include a ratcheting mechanism such as a resiliently mounted positioning button which can be connected to one of a plurality of positioning openings disposed along each arms length.
In one embodiment the extension member may be resiliently biased towards the openings. Any configuration of engaging members operatively disposed between the slide member and position bar may be used. In an alternate embodiment, each arm may be frictionally retained in position relative to the track.
In one embodiment the supplemental dispenser may also include a supply of folded tissues disposed within the container housing. The container housing may be openable and refillable with a cartridge of tissues in the form of, for example, a bag or pouch-like container insertable into the housing.
In one embodiment is provided a container including an openable door:
In one embodiment a basic liquid employed as above described may, for example, can be largely a distilled sterile water, water and alcohol, or water, alcohol and an emollient such as lanolin. A fragrance may also be included. Other possible ingredients comprise a humectant, e.g., glycerine or propylene glycol, an appropriate antiseptic or germicidal substance, or a bacteriostat, a mineral oil, an emulsifying agent and a stabilizing agent. While a liquid as, for example, a liquid having a cleansing and sterilizing property may be used, the sheets may alternatively use a treating agent such as a powder, a salve, a cream or the like.
In one embodiment the wetted sheets have an adequate tear strength to withstand withdrawal from the container and such sheets they may multilayered.
In one embodiment the container and its components are comprised of plastic composition, e.g., a thermoplastic such as polystyrene, polypropylene, a polycarbonate, ABS, etc., and are formed, for example, by an injection molding method.
In various embodiments is provided a supplemental dispenser for storing and dispensing folded tissue sheets, comprising: (a) a housing having top and bottom portions, opposite exterior side walls located between the top and bottom portions, an internal compartment configured to retain a supply of folded issue sheets, and an openable top providing access to the internal compartment; (b) a dispensing opening in the top, providing access to the internal compartment which is smaller than the access in the openable top; (c) a plurality of arms, located on opposite exterior side walls of the housing and rotatably connected to the housing having closed and open positions, each of the arms including an opening; (d) wherein the plurality of arms in their open position are supported on the toilet paper dispenser having a pair of toilet paper dispenser spaced apart arms and the spindle, the spindle also being supported by the pair of toilet paper dispenser spaced apart arms, a roll of toilet paper having a plurality of detachable sheets being supported by the spindle, and the arms of the dispenser in the open state being attached to the spindle at locations between the roll of toilet paper and the pair of spaced apart toilet paper dispenser arms; and (e) the arms engaging the roll of toilet paper resisting free spinning of the roll of toilet paper relative to the spindle when detachable sheets are pulled hard from the roll of toilet paper.
In various embodiments each arm can be frictionally positionable between open and closed states.
In various embodiments the arms in their fully open position have a spanning distance and the roll of toilet paper has a longitudinal length and the spanning distances is less than the longitudinal length. In various embodiments the spanning distance can be less than 100, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, 86, 85, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80, 78, 76, 75, 74, 72, 70, 68, 67, 66, 64, 62, 60, 58, 56, 54, and/or 50 percent of the longitudinal length of the roll of toilet paper. In various embodiments the spanning distance can be between any two of the referenced percentages of the longitudinal length of the roll of toilet paper.
In various embodiments the resistance to free spinning of the roll of toilet paper by the engagement of the arms with the roll of toilet paper can be least an additional 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.4, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.5, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.61, 0.62, 0.63, 0.64, 0.65, 0.66, 0.67, 0.68, 0.69, 0.7, 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.8, 0.81, 0.82, 0.83, 0.84, 0.85, 0.86, 0.87, 0.88, 0.89, 0.9, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.2, 2.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and/or 100 newton-meters of torque. In various embodiments the additional resistance to free spinning can be an amount between any two of the above referenced torque values.
In various embodiments the supplemental dispenser can further comprise a retractable and extendable spacer connected to the supplemental dispenser, and when the spacer is in a retracted state, the supplemental dispenser hangs from the spindle in a generally vertical direction, and when the spacer is in the extended state such extension causes the dispenser to be maintained in a non-vertical position compared to the vertical position of the supplemental dispenser when the spacer is in a retracted state.
In various embodiments the supplemental dispenser can further comprise a retractable and extendable spacer connected to the dispenser, the spacer being connected to the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser, wherein in the refracted state the spacer does not protrude beyond the bottom portion, and in the extended state the spacer does protrude beyond the bottom portion said protrusion said protrusion causing the supplemental dispenser to be moved from a generally vertical angle to a generally non-vertical angle.
In various embodiments is provided a method of using a combination toilet paper fixture and supplemental dispenser for storing and dispensing folded tissue sheets, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a supplemental dispenser adapted for configuration with the toilet paper dispensing fixture having a spindle, the supplemental dispenser comprising:
In various embodiments the supplemental dispenser includes a spacer connected to the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser, wherein the spacer has extended and retracted states, wherein in the refracted state the spacer does not protrude beyond the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser, and in the extended state the spacer does protrude beyond the bottom portion, said protrusion causing the supplemental dispenser to be moved from a generally vertical angle to a generally non-vertical angle.
In various embodiments the method further includes the step of changing the spacer from a retracted state to an extended state, which extended state causes the spacer to contact a surface which contact causes the supplemental dispenser to move to a generally non-vertical angle compared to the supplemental dispenser's relative angular position when the spacer is in the retracted state.
In various embodiments the method further includes the step of pushing on the supplemental dispenser such that the spacer maintains contact on the surface while simultaneously opening the dispensing top and pulling out a wipe from the supplemental dispenser opening while the dispenser spacer maintains contact with the surface and maintains a constant generally non-vertical angle of the dispenser.
In various embodiments the method further includes the step of wherein after pulling out the wipe, the spacer is put into the retracted state causing the supplemental dispenser to be positioned in a generally vertical position.
In various embodiments of the method and apparatus the spanning distance can be less than 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, 86, 85, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80, 78, 76, 75, 74, 72, 70, 68, 67, 66, 64, 62, 60, 58, 56, 54, and/or 50 percent of the longitudinal length of the roll of toilet paper. In various embodiments of the method and apparatus the spanning distance can be between any two of the referenced percentages of the longitudinal length of the roll of toilet paper.
In various embodiments of the method and apparatus the additional resistance to free spinning of the roll of toilet paper by the engagement of the arms with the roll of toilet paper is at least an additional 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.4, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.5, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.61, 0.62, 0.63, 0.64, 0.65, 0.66, 0.67, 0.68, 0.69, 0.7, 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.8, 0.81, 0.82, 0.83, 0.84, 0.85, 0.86, 0.87, 0.88, 0.89, 0.9, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.2, 2.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and/or 100 newton-meters of torque. In various embodiments the additional resistance to free spinning is an amount between any two of the referenced values of torque values.
In various embodiments of the method and apparatus a spacer can be connected to the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser, wherein the spacer has extended and retracted states, and in the extended state the spacer both protrudes beyond the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser and maintains the supplemental dispenser in a single position in relation to a wall supporting the toilet paper fixture.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.
For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate system, structure or manner.
Referring to the figures in general, in one embodiment is provided a supplementary dispenser 10 is provided for storing and dispensing folded tissue sheets 250 from a toilet paper dispenser 100, the supplemental dispenser 10 having extending and retracting support arms 400,500, a container 200, and an interior volume 202.
In one embodiment supplemental dispenser 10 can be provided for dispensing pre-moistened or dry tissue sheets 250 from a container housing 200. In one embodiment, various types of sheets 250 can be dispensed from supplemental dispenser 10, such as dry or pre-moistened tissues. In one embodiment, supplemental dispenser 10 can dispense individual stacked interfolded sheets—either dry or pre-moistened. Such stacked configurations for dry or pre-moistened sheets are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Referring particularly to the figures, container housing 200 can have has a configuration with a width and a depth to contain conventionally available pre-moistened wipes. Container housing 200 can include an interior volume 202 in which the tissue sheets 250 are stored and dispensed from. Container housing 200 may take on any shape or configuration, and the rectangular box-type configuration shown in the figures is for illustrative purposes only. Top 205 of container 200 can include dispensing opening 222 (to interior volume 202) which can be sealed/closed by door 220. In different embodiments dispensing opening 222 may be included on any side of container housing 200. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the dispensing opening 222 is shown on the top 205. In various embodiments dispensing opening 222 may take on any suitable shape or configuration.
The container housing 200 may be formed of any conventional material, and may be a relatively inexpensive plastic disposable material, paperboard material, paper, cardboard, and the like. It may be desired to form the container housing 200 of a liquid impermeable material if it is desired to contain and dispense premoistened tissue sheets 250. In one embodiment, container housing 250 may be formed of any type of material, including a liquid absorbent, and the pre-moistened tissue sheets 250 may be encased in a liquid impermeable film. Alternatively, interior volume 202 may be lined with the film. The premoistened sheets 250 may be provided in a refill package or cartridge that may be placed into the interior volume 202, the refill package including the liquid impermeable film. In this configuration, the container 200 can have a resealable wall, lid, or other member that may be opened to allow a refill cartridge of tissues to be inserted into the interior volume 202.
It may further be desired that interior volume 202 include a door 220 over a dispensing opening 208. In the case of pre-moistened sheets 250, door 220 may be hinged with hinge 224 and when door 220 is closed, it prevents significant loss of moisture from sheets 250 and prevents undesired drying out. In one embodiment door can be snap closed on top 205 with lock 226. In on embodiment door 220 can be frictionally locked with a rim of opening 208.
In one embodiment supplemental dispenser 10 can be supported on toilet paper dispenser 100 by a plurality of arms 400,500. In one embodiment the support arms 400,500 can be foldably connected to container 200 by hinges 402,502.
In one embodiment supplemental dispenser 10 can be attached to a conventionally available toilet paper dispenser 100 having a roll of toilet paper 170. Such fixtures 100 are well known and a typical fixture 100 is shown in
Arrows 750 schematically indicate that force will be applied to arms 400,500 to increase the original spanning distance 710 so that the arms 400,500 can be placed over the roll of toilet paper 170.
Arrow 800 schematically indicates that a pulling force is applied to sheet 175 which will tend to cause roll of toilet paper 170 to spin in the direction of arrow 810. Arrow 810 also schematically indicates the turning or spinning torque applied to roll 170 by pulling on sheet 175 in the direction of arrow 800. Such spinning torque 810 can cause roll of toilet paper 170 to enter a free spinning state where roll 170 spins on spindle 150 and numerous additional unwanted sheets 175′, 175″, 175′″ 175″″, etc. of toilet paper will “unrolled” from roll 170 as roll 170 continues spinning in its free spinning state. Arrow 820 schematically indicates the resistant/resultant frictional torque applied by friction between arms 400,500 and the roll of toilet paper 170 thereby resisting/preventing roll of toilet paper 170 from entering a free spinning state.
In various embodiments is provided a supplemental dispenser 10 for storing and dispensing folded tissue sheets 250, comprising: (a) a housing 200 having top 205 and bottom 203 portions, opposite exterior side walls located between the top 205 and bottom 203 portions, an internal compartment 202 configured to retain a supply of folded issue sheets 250, and an openable top 205 providing access to the internal compartment 202; (b) a dispensing opening 222 in the top 202, providing access to the internal compartment 202 which is smaller than the access in the openable top 205; (c) a plurality of arms 400,500, located on opposite exterior side walls of the housing 200 and rotatably connected to the housing 200 having closed and open positions, each of the arms 400,500 including an opening 430,530; (d) wherein the plurality of arms 400,500 in their open position are supported on the toilet paper dispenser 100 (via spindle 150) having a pair of toilet paper dispenser spaced apart arms 120 and the spindle 150, the spindle 150 also being supported by the pair of toilet paper dispenser spaced apart arms 120, a roll of toilet paper 170 having a plurality of detachable sheets 175, 175′, 175″, etc. being supported by the spindle 150, and the arms 400,500 of the supplemental dispenser 10 in the open state being attached to the spindle 150 at locations between the roll of toilet paper 170 and the pair of spaced apart toilet paper dispenser arms 120; and (e) the arms 400,500 engaging the roll of toilet paper 170 resisting free spinning of the roll of toilet paper 170 relative to the spindle 150 when detachable sheets 175, 175′, 175″, etc. are pulled hard from the roll of toilet paper 170.
In various embodiments each arm 400,500 can be frictionally positionable between open and closed states.
In various embodiments the arms 400,500 in their fully open position have a spanning distance 710 and the roll of toilet paper 170 has a longitudinal length 700 and the spanning distances 710 is less than the longitudinal length 700. In various embodiments the spanning distance 710 can be less than 100, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, 86, 85, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80, 78, 76, 75, 74, 72, 70, 68, 67, 66, 64, 62, 60, 58, 56, 54, and/or 50 percent of the longitudinal length 700 of the roll of toilet paper 170. In various embodiments the spanning distance 710 can be between any two of the referenced percentages of the longitudinal length 700 of the roll of toilet paper 170.
In various embodiments the resistance to free spinning of the roll of toilet paper 170 by the engagement of the arms 400,500 with the roll of toilet paper 170 can be least an additional 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.4, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.5, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.61, 0.62, 0.63, 0.64, 0.65, 0.66, 0.67, 0.68, 0.69, 0.7, 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.8, 0.81, 0.82, 0.83, 0.84, 0.85, 0.86, 0.87, 0.88, 0.89, 0.9, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.2, 2.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and/or 100 newton-meters of torque. In various embodiments the additional resistance to free spinning can be an amount between any two of the above referenced torque values.
In various embodiments the supplemental dispenser 10 can further comprise a retractable and extendable spacer 320 connected to the supplemental dispenser 10, and when the spacer 320 is in a retracted state, the supplemental dispenser 10 hangs from the spindle 150 in a generally vertical direction, and when the spacer 320 is in the extended state such extension causes the supplemental dispenser 10 to be maintained in a non-vertical position compared to the vertical position of the supplemental dispenser 10 when the spacer 320 is in a retracted state.
In various embodiments the supplemental dispenser 10 can further comprise a retractable and extendable spacer 320 connected to the supplemental dispenser 10, the spacer 320 being connected to the bottom portion 203 of the supplemental dispenser 10, wherein in the retracted state the spacer 320 does not protrude beyond the bottom portion 203, and in the extended state the spacer 320 does protrude beyond the bottom portion 203.
In various embodiments is provided a method of using a combination toilet paper fixture and supplemental dispenser 10 for storing and dispensing folded tissue sheets 250, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a supplemental dispenser 10 adapted for configuration with the toilet paper dispensing fixture 100 having a spindle 150, the supplemental dispenser 10 comprising:
In various embodiments the supplemental dispenser 10 includes a spacer 320 connected to the bottom portion 203 of the supplemental dispenser 10, wherein the spacer 320 has extended and retracted states, wherein in the retracted state the spacer 320 does not protrude beyond the bottom portion 203, and in the extended state the spacer 320 does protrude beyond the bottom portion 203 said protrusion causing the supplemental dispenser 10 to be moved from a generally vertical angle 30 to a generally non-vertical angle 34.
In various embodiments the method further includes the step of changing the spacer 320 from a retracted state to an extended state, which extended state causes the spacer 320 to contact a surface which contact the supplemental dispenser 10 to move to a generally non-vertical angle 34 compared to the supplemental dispenser's 200 relative angular position 30 when the spacer 320 is in the retracted state.
In various embodiments the method further includes the step of pushing on the supplemental dispenser 10 such that the spacer 320 maintains contact on the surface while simultaneously opening the dispensing top 220 and pulling out a wipe 185 from the supplemental dispenser opening 222 while the supplemental dispenser spacer 320 maintains contact with the surface and maintains a constant generally non-vertical 34 angle of the supplemental dispenser 10.
In various embodiments the method further includes the step of wherein after pulling out the wipe 185, the spacer 320 is put into the retracted state causing the supplemental dispenser 10 to be positioned in a generally vertical position 30.
In various embodiments of the method and apparatus 10 the spanning distance 710 can be less than 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, 86, 85, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80, 78, 76, 75, 74, 72, 70, 68, 67, 66, 64, 62, 60, 58, 56, 54, and/or 50 percent of the longitudinal length 700 of the roll of toilet paper 170. In various embodiments of the method and apparatus 10 the spanning distance 710 can be between any two of the referenced percentages of the longitudinal length 700 of the roll of toilet paper 170.
In various embodiments of the method and apparatus 10 the additional resistance to free spinning of the roll of toilet paper 170 by the engagement of the arms 400,500 with the roll of toilet paper 170 is at least an additional 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.4, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.5, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.61, 0.62, 0.63, 0.64, 0.65, 0.66, 0.67, 0.68, 0.69, 0.7, 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.8, 0.81, 0.82, 0.83, 0.84, 0.85, 0.86, 0.87, 0.88, 0.89, 0.9, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.2, 2.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and/or 100 newton-meters of torque. In various embodiments the additional resistance to free spinning is an amount between any two of the referenced values of torque values.
In various embodiments of the method and apparatus a spacer 320 can be connected to the bottom portion 203 of the supplemental dispenser 10, wherein the spacer 320 has extended and retracted states, and in the extended state the spacer 320 both protrudes beyond the bottom portion 203 of the supplemental dispenser 10 and maintains the supplemental dispenser 10 in a single position 34 in relation to a wall 20 supporting the toilet paper fixture 100.
In various embodiments the supplemental dispenser 10 can be shipped in large shipments (e.g., a shipping container size) with the wipes 250 in a “dry” condition, and prior to use of a particular supplemental dispenser 10 with its “dry” wipes 250, a user can “wet” these wipes 250. Because wipes 250 in a “wet” state are heavier than wipes 250 in a “dry” state, such “wet” condition makes it more costly for shipping large shipments of supplemental dispensers 200. For example a twenty (20′) or forty foot (40′) shipping container filled with supplemental dispensers 10 with “dry” wipes 250 are expected to weigh substantially less than the same shipping container filled with supplemental dispensers with “wet” wipes 250 even though the same volume of space is used in both cases. Therefore, it is believed to be economical to ship large quantities (e.g., a container full) of supplemental dispensers 10 with wipes 250 in a “dry” state along with instructing the users to “wet” the wipes 250 before use in the supplemental dispenser 10. In these embodiments the commercial packaging would include instructions to the user on the procedure for “wetting” the wipes 250 (e.g., by filling the wipes storage bag with a selected liquid). The user would receive the supplemental dispenser 10 with the plurality of dry wipes 250 in the interior 202 of the supplemental dispenser 10 along with the instructions. The user would remove the plurality of dry wipes 250 from the supplemental dispenser 10, and following the instructions, wet the wipes 250. Wetting can be accomplished while the wipes 250 remain inside the interior volume 202 of the supplemental dispenser 10 or while the wipes 250 are removed from the interior volume 202 of the supplemental dispenser 10. If wetting was performed while the wipes 250 were removed from the interior volume 202, the user would then reinsert the now wetted wipes 250 in the interior volume 202 of the supplemental dispenser 10, close the top 205, and install the supplemental dispenser 10 as described in this application. In one embodiment the user can open the tope 205 of the supplemental dispenser 10, wet the wipes 250 while these wipes remain in the interior volume 202 of the supplemental dispenser 10, and then close the top 205. After wetting the wipes 250, the supplemental dispenser 10 can be closed, installed on the toilet paper dispenser 100, and then used as described in this application.
In various embodiments the number of wipes 250 in a supplemental dispenser 200 can vary. For example, the supplemental dispenser 200 can hold 210 wipes 250, or can hold 42 wipes 250. In various embodiments the number of wipes 250 shipped dry to be wetted by the user will also vary as described.
The following is a list of reference numerals:
All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
This is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/989,626 filed on 7 May 2014, which application is incorporated herein by reference. Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/989,626 filed on 7 May 2014, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61989626 | May 2014 | US |
