Patent Application
20230255415
The present invention relates to toilet paper dispensers and, more particularly, to a toilet paper dispenser which allows using just one hand to selectively detach one or more sheets of toilet paper from the roll.
For toilet paper dispensers to provide easily detachable toilet paper squares from the toilet paper roll over multiple uses, the toilet paper roll needs to be able to rotate or ‘roll’. However, the spools of current toilet paper dispensers provide little to no resistance to the rotational velocity of a rolling toilet paper roll. And as a result, the user must use one hand to hold the roll while the other hand is needed to selectively remove the desired amount of toilet paper squares. This process of holding the toilet paper after just going to the bathroom can be very unhygienic, as well as unpleasant for the next user.
Conventional toilet paper dispensers have a spool that has a diameter that is significantly less than in the inner diameter of the toilet paper roll. Typically, this difference in diameter is one-half inch or more. Thus, current toilet paper dispenser spools have no purpose other than being a location to hang the roll, keeping it from falling to the floor, other than facilitating runaway rolling.
A need exists for a toilet paper dispenser which enables single-handed selective detach of one or more sheets of the toilet paper, while still allowing the toilet paper roll to rotate for the next use.
The present invention is a single-handed toilet paper dispenser with a roll engager that is dimensioned and adapted to snugly engage the inner diameter of the toilet paper roll with a tolerance that enables the roll to rotate upon slowly pulling on the distal end or square of the toilet paper, yet the tolerance provides sufficient friction so that a quick tug at the same distal end or square of the toilet paper results in the removal of one or more sheets from an upstream perforation.
The present invention may employ a spool pin on each of two opposing arms, wherein each spool pin snugly engages an inner circumference of an end portion of the lumen of the toilet paper roll. One or both opposing arms may be movable between an engaged/closed position and a disengaged/open position, where in the engaged/closed position the spool pin mates the pin with the end portion of the roll's lumen, snugly engaging the inner circumferential surface thereof. In the disengaged/open position, for replacement purposes, the toilet paper roll may be removed from the remaining spool pin still engaging it.
The engaged/closed position holds the roll snugly enough so as to create resistance sufficient that tugging on the roll so that one or more toilet paper sheets/squares will detach from the roll at the closest roll perforation upstream of the tug.
The present invention may include two spool pins which closely match the inside diameter of the toilet paper roll. With the roll installed, the spool pins use friction to control the speed of the roll and allow for the toilet paper to be separated from the roll without having the other hand hold the roll.
As a result, an individual can pull off as few as one sheet at a time or as many as desired. If one is unable to use two hands, this invention solves the “runaway roll,” problem. In short, the present invention does not require the use of two hands, while prior art toilet dispensers do.
In one aspect of the present invention, a toilet paper dispenser provides two spool pins spaced apart so that each spool pin, respectively, directly engages one of two end portions of a lumen of a toilet paper roll so that a first pull along a distal end of the toilet paper of the toilet paper roll results in rotating the toilet paper roll on the two spool pins, and wherein a second pull, greater in force than the first pull, results in one or more toilet paper sheets of the toilet paper detaching from an upstream perforation of the toilet paper, whereby the one or more toilet sheets are detached single-handedly.
In another aspect of the present invention, the single-handed toilet paper dispenser toilet paper dispenser includes wherein each spool pin has a substantially cylindrical body, wherein the body directly engages an inner circumferential wall of the end portion of said lumen, wherein the body has a body diameter that is coextensive with a diameter defined by the inner circumferential wall (lumen), wherein the body has a diameter of approximately 42.2 millimeters, wherein one of the two spool pins is movable relative the other spool pin and from its respective end portion of said lumen; and further including two arms, one arm for each spool pin, wherein one of the two arms is pivotably connected to a supporting surface which supports the spacing apart of the two spool pins, wherein a pivotal arm moves between an open position and a closed position directly engaging the end portion of said lumen.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a single-handed toilet paper dispenser. The single-handed toilet paper dispenser provides two spool pins that snugly engage the inner circumferential walls of the lumen of a toilet roll, one spool pin at each end thereof. The snug engagement provides a preselected frictional force between the portions of the inner circumferential walls engaging the spool pins so that a user may pull on the distal end of the toilet paper roll and rotate the entire roll to its end, yet if the same user tugs at the same location with more force, one or more toilet paper sheets tear off at an upstream perforation.
Referring to
Each spool-pin 18 and 22 may be substantially cylindrical along its body 40, wherein the distal end 42 of the body tapers inward or is rounded. Each spool-pin 18 and 22 may be made from wood or various plasticized materials. The longitudinal lengths of the body 40 of the spool pins 18 and 22 in one iteration are 23.2 millimeters (mm) or approximately 0.91 inches on the stationary arm 14 and 22.6 millimeters (mm) or approximately 0.89 inches on the pivoting arm 20. The diameter of the body 40 may be approximately 42.2 millimeters (mm) or approximately 1.66 inches. Though other diameters may be used so that the frictional engagement disclosed herein is realized.
Each spool-pin 18 and 22 may be connected to the distal ends of arms 16 and 20, respectively. The opposing (proximal) ends of the arms 16 and 20 may be connected to a mounting plate 10 for attaching the single-handed toilet paper dispenser 100 to a supporting surface 34. The mounting plate 10 may provide fastener holes 12 for fasteners 32, though other forms of connection of the arms 16 and 20 to the supporting surface 34 are contemplated herein.
One or both spool-pins 18 and 22 may be pivotably connected relative to the supporting surface 34. In one embodiment, a pivot point 26 operatively associates a first arm 20 to the mounting plate 10. In other embodiments, the arms 16 and 20 may be directly attached to the supporting surface 34, pivotably or fixed. In most embodiments at least one arm 20 is movable between a disengaged/open position and an engaged/closed position. In the embodiments where only one arm 20 is pivotably connected, the other arm 16 is referred sometimes as the stationary arm. In one embodiment, shown in the Figures, the pivot point 26 may include operatively associating knuckles 14 and 24 on the proximal end of the hinged arm 20 and the distal ends of the mounting plate 10, respectively, with a pivot pin pivotably connecting the knuckles 14 and 24.
In certain embodiments, the arms 16 and 20 may be approximately 101 mm in longitudinal length (from distal end to proximal end). Though, other lengths may be used as long as the toilet paper roll 30 is installed between the spool pins 18 and 22 and does not contact the mounting plate 10 or the supporting surface 34 during use.
The snug engagement of the bodies 40 of the spool pines 18 and 22 on the inner circumferential walls of the roll 28 causes friction which controls the speed of the roll 28 when radial or tangential force is applied by way of pulling or tugging on the distal end of the toilet paper 30. When the roll 28 reaches a certain speed, as the user 36 increases their tangential from (say, from a pull to a tug) excess friction causes a toilet paper sheet to separate at a perforation line.
Consider individuals who have lost the use of one hand or arm. It is very difficult for them to get the right amount of toilet paper without the roll unrolling onto the floor. Consider a parent whose children unroll too much toilet paper than is needed. Consider an individual in a business which has a restroom and how wasteful employees and customers can be. To tug on a roll of toilet paper which, in essence, tugs back, can save money and can make those who are unable to use both hands happy to have one of these dispensers.
Additionally, the present invention contemplates wherever friction is a viable force in limiting the free-rolling of media wound on a tube, or other similar media; where mechanical, or other means, are inappropriate or impractical, making the configured spool pins a boon.
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.
In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/309,979, filed 14 Feb. 2022 the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63309979 | Feb 2022 | US |
