BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
a illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser wherein a plurality of toilet tissue rolls are housed therein and the device is appointed to be mounted on a wall surface in close proximity to the toilet;
FIG. 1
b illustrates a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1a, showing the toilet tissue holder and dispenser wherein a plurality of toilet tissue rolls are housed therein and the device is appointed to be mounted on a wall surface in close proximity to the toilet;
FIG. 2
a illustrates a view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1a, wherein the embodiment of FIG. 1a includes a first portion and a second portion, showing the back view of the first portion of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser wherein a plurality of toilet tissue rolls are housed therein and the first portion is adapted to be attached to the second portion;
FIG. 2
b illustrates a view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1a, wherein the embodiment of FIG. 1a includes a first portion and a second portion, showing the front view of the second portion of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser wherein the second portion is adapted to receive and attach to the first portion illustrated in FIG. 2a;
FIG. 2
c illustrates a top planer view of the lid portion of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser;
FIGS. 3
a-3e illustrate an embodiment of the dispenser portion adapted to be utilized in an embodiment of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser, wherein the dispenser portion is shown in a sequence of steps, from the loaded to empty to re-loaded condition:
FIG. 3
a shows the dispenser portion with a roll of toilet paper received thereon;
FIG. 3
b shows the dispenser portion with a cardboard sleeve thereon after the toilet paper roll is exhausted;
FIG. 3
c shows the dispenser portion in the empty configuration with the dispenser rod removed therefrom;
FIGS. 3
d and 3e show a new toilet paper roll being loaded onto the dispenser portion through upward motion thereof, followed by a spring-back motion, respectively, in order to again achieve the configuration shown in FIG. 3a;
FIG. 4 illustrates a planar view of an embodiment of the dispenser rod adapted to be receive by the dispenser device; and
FIG. 5 illustrates a front planer view of another embodiment of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser wherein a plurality of toilet tissues are stacked and attached to one another in an “accordion” configuration by way of perforated edges, and wherein the toilet tissue holder and dispenser is appointed to be received by a standard toilet tissue holder in a typical bathroom.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a toilet tissue holder and dispenser that is uncomplicated, having a minimal number of moving parts, and space efficient; and which houses a plurality of toilet tissues readily accessible by a user. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser affords convenient housing of spare toilet tissues with a dispenser integrally built therein, so that minimal effort is required by the user when accessing the spare toilet tissue. A large quantity of toilet tissue can be housed within the toilet tissue holder and dispenser. Re-stocking of the device is less frequent and re-loading is readily achieved with minimal interruption of tissue delivery.
FIGS. 1
a and 1b illustrate an embodiment of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser wherein a plurality of toilet tissue rolls are housed therein, and the device is adapted to be mounted on a wall surface in close proximity to the toilet. A front view of the toilet tissue holder is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1a; a side view of the toilet tissue holder is shown generally at 60 in FIG. 1b. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 comprises a first portion 11 having an upper rim 12, front wall 13, side walls 14, and a bottom wall 15 arranged to form an interior compartment 16. Interior compartment 16 is adapted to house a plurality of toilet tissue rolls 20. First portion 11 has an interior surface 17 (see FIG. 2a) and an exterior surface 18. Each toilet tissue roll 20 comprises a typical toilet tissue roll of the conventional variety. Toilet tissue roll 20 includes an inner sleeve 21 with toilet tissue 22 wound therearound. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 further comprises a dispenser portion 30 attached to at least one side wall 14 of first portion 11. A plurality of dispenser rod portions 202 are provided. Each dispenser rod portion 202 is adapted to receive and house one toilet tissue roll 20. Dispenser rod portion 202 is adapted to be received by dispenser portion 30 when the given toilet tissue roll 20 is ready to be utilized.
Continuing with FIGS. 1a and 1b, each side wall 14 of first portion 11 further comprises an elongated aperture 19. Elongated aperture 19 vertically extends up to the upper rim 12 of first portion 11. Elongated aperture 19 is appointed to receive left and right rod ends 203 of dispenser rod portion 202. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 further comprises a second portion 40 having attachment means adapted to attach first portion 11 thereto. In addition, the toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 further comprises lid portion 50 being removably received by upper rim 12 of first portion 11 and a top edge 41 of second portion 40. Lid portion 50 and upper rim 12 of first portion 11 are arranged to form a tissue slit 51 appointed to receive toilet tissue 22 from the toilet tissue roll 20 being utilized. Lid portion 50 further comprises a lip 52 adapted for tearing toilet tissue 22 as toilet tissue 22 exits interior compartment 16 of first portion 11.
Optionally, the toilet tissue holder and dispenser is composed of a polymer material. As such, the polymeric material is preferably a lightweight material. First portion 11 of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 is adapted to house at least four toilet tissue rolls 20. It is provided with at least four dispenser rod portions 202. Preferably, first portion 11 of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 is adapted to house five toilet tissue rolls 20, and is appointed with five dispenser rod portions 202. As is illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, preferably, toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 includes a pair of dispenser portions 30, each being fixedly attached to each side wall 14 of first portion 11. The first 11 and second 40 portions of toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 may be hingedly attached so that first and second portions, 11 and 40, can open and close to facilitate re-loading or stacking of the toilet tissue rolls 20 within the device 10, 60. For this case, the hinge would preferably be located on bottom wall 15 of first portion 11. Optionally, first portion 11 and second portion 40 are fixedly attached by way of an attachment means to form a one-piece, or unilateral, toilet tissue holder and dispenser with lid 50 hingedly attached thereto.
FIGS. 2
a, 2b, and 2c illustrate views of the elements disclosed in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b. A back view of the first portion 11 of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 is shown generally at 70 in FIG. 2a; a front view of the second portion of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 is shown generally at 80 in FIG. 2b; and a top planer view of the lid portion of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 is shown generally at 90 in FIG. 2c. Referring to FIG. 2a shown generally at 70, side walls 14 of first portion 11 have a distance apart 71. This distance 71 is substantially equal to, but slightly greater, than the length of a typical toilet tissue roll 20. As a result, advantageously, the toilet tissue roll 20 does not shift around to and fro while being manipulated by the user. Preferably, front wall 13, side walls 14, and a bottom wall 15 of first portion 11 further comprises first inner support bars 72 therein interior compartment 16. Advantageously, these first inner support bars 72 provide added stability and durability to first portion 11 and the overall structure of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60.
FIG. 2
b, shown generally at 80, illustrates second portion 40 of toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60. Second portion 40 portion comprises a top edge 41, lateral edges 42, and a base edge 43 arranged to form an outer surface 44 and an inner surface 45. Preferably, second portion 40 further comprises second inner support bars 47 thereon inner surface 45. Preferably, outer surface 44 of second portion 40 is smooth so that outer surface 44 can come into intimate contact with the bathroom wall and securely attach second portion 40 thereto in a substantially flush manner. Second portion 40 further comprises mounting means 81 appointed to attach second portion 40 onto a bathroom wall in close proximity to a toilet fixture. Preferably, mounting means 81 of second portion 40 comprises flanges 82 that extend from each lateral edge 42. Flanges 82 are appointed with a plurality of apertures 83 of varying height or distance apart. The apertures 83 are appointed to receive attachment means (such as a screw or nail, or the like) to secure second portion 40 to the bathroom wall. In addition, second portion 40 comprises attachment means 84, which is adapted to attach first portion 11 to second portion 40. Preferably, attachment means 84 of second portion 40 comprises a perimeter lip 85, and in turn, first portion 11 further includes a perimeter groove (86, in FIG. 2a) so that perimeter lip 85 is received in the perimeter groove (86, in FIG. 2a).
FIG. 2
c, shown generally at 90, illustrates lid portion 50 of toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60. Preferably, lid portion 50 is hingedly attached to second portion 40 so that entry into the interior of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 is achievable for re-loading purposes and the like. Preferably, lid 50 further comprises handle portions 91. In addition, lid portion 50 further comprises lip 52. Lip 52 preferably has a width ranging from 0.64 cm (0.25 inches) to 12.7 cm (5 inches) in order to facilitate efficient tearing of the tissue paper 22 with one hand without causing the paper to unravel out of the device, or causing the paper to bounce back-ward into the device.
FIGS. 3
a-3e illustrate an embodiment of the dispenser portion adapted to be utilized in an embodiment of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser, wherein the dispenser portion is shown in a sequence of steps, from the loaded to empty to re-loaded configuration. Referring to FIG. 3a, toilet tissue roll 20 is appointed for use. Toilet tissue roll 20 is mounted on dispenser rod portion 202 which, in turn, is mounted on dispenser portion 30. FIG. 3b shows the dispenser portion 30 with empty cardboard sleeve 21 thereon after the toilet paper roll 22 is exhausted. FIG. 3c shows the dispenser portion 30 in the empty configuration with the dispenser rod portion 202 removed therefrom. FIGS. 3d and 3e show a new toilet paper roll 20 being loaded onto the dispenser portion 30 through upward motion thereof, followed by a spring-back motion, respectively, in order to again achieve the configuration shown in FIG. 3a. Dispenser portion 30 comprises a pivot attachment 101, an arm 102, a spring member 103, and a stopping member 104. Stopping member 104 is fixedly attached to side walls 14 of first portion 11. Arm 102 of dispenser portion 30 further comprises a notch 105 (best illustrated in FIG. 3c) appointed to receive dispenser rod portion 202. Pivot attachment 101 is adapted to attach arm 102 of dispenser portion 30 to side wall 14 of said first portion 11 so that arm 102 vertically rotates at least 90° in the upward direction (best illustrated in FIGS. 3d and 3e) to change from a horizontal 106 to a vertical 107 configuration when an upward force is applied to arm 102.
Continuing with FIGS. 3a-3e, spring member 103 causes arm 102 to spring back from the vertical configuration 107 to the horizontal configuration 106 when the upward force is released. Preferably, spring member 103 comprises a horizontal limb 108, an adjacent limb 109, and a pivot center 110 arranged to form an L-shape. Horizontal limb 108 is interstitially housed within arm member 102. Adjacent limb 109 extends upward and abuts against stopping member 104. Pivot center 110 is intimately associated with pivot attachment 101 so that the L-shape of spring member 103 forms a U-shape 111 (best illustrated in FIG. 3d) when arm 102 of dispenser portion 30 is in the vertical configuration 107.
FIG. 4 illustrates a planar view of an embodiment of the dispenser rod appointed to be received by the dispenser device, shown generally at 200. Each dispenser rod portion 202 comprises a shaft member 201 and an inner rod member 202 comprising left and right rod ends 203. Inner rod member 202 has a greater length than shaft member 201 so that left and right rod ends 203 extend therefrom. Shaft member 201 has a shaft length substantially equal to a typical length of the inner sleeve 21 of a toilet tissue roll 20. Shaft member 201 has a shaft circumference substantially equal to, but slightly less than, a typical circumference of an inner sleeve 21 of toilet tissue roll 20.
Continuing with FIG. 4, preferably shaft member 201 further comprises at least two compressible shaft panels 204 so that the shaft circumference can be compressed to facilitate loading and removal of the inner sleeve 21 of a toilet tissue roll 20 from shaft member 201 and to prevent the inner sleeve 21 of a toilet tissue roll 20 from slipping when the toilet tissue 22 is being removed from the toilet tissue roll 20 by a user. Optionally, the left and right rod ends 203 of inner rod member 202 further comprise convex ends adapted to receive a user's finger tips to provide enhanced gripping capability. With this configuration, the rod can readily be moved up into place by the user when utilization of the roll is desired. Optionally, left and right rod ends 203 of inner rod member 202 further comprise a friction coating thereon. The friction coating enhances gripping capability for the left and right rod ends 203 of inner rod member 202, enabling the rod to be easily moved up into place by the user when utilization of the roll is desired.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front planer view of another embodiment of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser, shown generally at 300. In this embodiment (300) a plurality of toilet tissues are stacked and attached to one another by way of perforated edges to form an accordion-type arrangement. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser is adapted to be received by a standard toilet tissue holder in a typical bathroom. In this embodiment toilet tissue holder and dispenser 300 comprises a container 301 having a front wall 302, side walls 303, a bottom wall 304, a lid 305, and a back wall 306 arranged to form an interior compartment 307 appointed to house a plurality of toilet tissues 308. Toilet tissues 308 are stacked and attached to one another in an accordion arrangement 309 and each comprise perforated edges 310. Toilet tissue holder and dispenser 300 further comprises a pair of knobs 311 appointed to be received by a toilet paper holding structure 312 having a pair of arms 313 with an aperture 314 therein. Each of the knobs 311 is adapted to be received within the aperture 314 of arms 313 of toilet paper holding structure 312.
Continuing with FIG. 5, side walls 303 of container 301 of toilet tissue holder and dispenser 300 further comprise a plurality of side apertures 315 adapted to receive knobs 311. Toilet tissue holder and dispenser 300 further comprises a lip portion 316 fixedly attached to lid 305 of container 301. Lip portion 316 is appointed to sever each of toilet tissue 308 from one another at perforated edges 310. Toilet tissue holder and dispenser 300 further comprises a narrow slit 317 located between lid 305 and one of the walls 303; preferably front wall 302 of container 301. Narrow slit 317 is intimately associated with lip 316. Slit 317 further comprises a tension portion. Preferably, the tension portion of slit means 317 comprises spring back tension of the slit means 317. Back wall 306 of container 301 may further comprise an attachment means adapted to attach back wall 306 to a bathroom wall. This attachment means may comprise at least one double faced adhesive tape portion. Preferably, toilet tissue holder and dispenser 300 is composed of a cardboard material and is disposable upon exhaustion of all of said plurality of toilet tissues 308. Alternatively, container 301 is composed of a polymeric material, preferably a lightweight plastic. Wherein container 301 is composed of a polymeric material, lid 305 may be hingedly attached to container 301 so that the toilet tissues 308 can be re-loaded; alternatively, at least one of side wall 303 may be hingedly attached to back wall 306 of container 301 so that the toilet tissues 308 can be re-loaded. Alternatively, container 301 comprises a top section and bottom section that are removably attached and facilitate loading of container 301.
Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.
Patent Application
20070290092
