U.S. patent application number 11/858025 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for enclosure for toilet paper roll.
Invention is credited to Eric Gabor.
Application Number | 20090072064 11/858025 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40453407 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090072064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gabor; Eric |
March 19, 2009 |
ENCLOSURE FOR TOILET PAPER ROLL
Abstract
One embodiment includes a product comprising: a toilet paper
roll housing comprising a first portion comprising a first partial
cylinder portion, a first end wall, and a second end wall; a second
portion comprising a second partial cylinder portion, a third end
wall, and a fourth end wall, wherein at least one of the first end
wall and the second end wall or the third end wall and the fourth
end wall each comprise a receiving portion to receive the terminal
end of a toilet paper rod supporting a toilet paper roll for
rotational movement thereon; wherein the first portion is
constructed and arranged to slide at least one of over or under the
second portion in an open position to allow access to the toilet
paper roll.
Inventors: |
Gabor; Eric; (Waterford,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REISING, ETHINGTON, BARNES, KISSELLE, P.C.
P O BOX 4390
TROY
MI
48099-4390
US
|
Family ID: |
40453407 |
Appl. No.: |
11/858025 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/160.3 ;
242/160.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/389 20130101;
A47K 10/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/160.3 ;
242/160.4 |
International
Class: |
B65H 18/28 20060101
B65H018/28 |
Claims
1. A product comprising: a toilet paper roll housing comprising a
first portion comprising a first partial cylinder portion, a first
end wall, and a second end wall; a second portion comprising a
second partial cylinder portion, a third end wall, and a fourth end
wall, wherein at least one of the first end wall and the second end
wall or the third end wall and the fourth end wall each comprise a
receiving portion to receive the terminal end of a toilet paper rod
supporting a toilet paper roll for rotational movement thereon; and
wherein the first portion is constructed and arranged to slide at
least one of over or under the second portion to an open position
to allow access to the toilet paper roll.
2. A product as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a fastener
for releasably attaching the first portion and the second portion
to each other to enclose the toilet paper roll and prevent access
thereto, wherein the fastener comprises a first fastener element
formed in the first portion and a second fastener element formed in
the second portion.
3. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiving portion
comprises an opening through one of the end walls.
4. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiving portion
comprises a recess formed in one of the end walls.
5. A product as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a plurality
of flexible tabs surrounding the opening for the toilet paper rod
such that the opening may be temporarily enlarged to receive a
terminal end of a toilet paper rod with a larger diameter.
6. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 3 further
comprising a perforated edge formed in the wall having the opening
such that the opening may be permanently enlarged by removing a
portion of the wall to receive a terminal end of a toilet paper rod
with a larger diameter.
7. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 2 further
comprising a hinged portion formed in the wall with the opening
such that the opening may be temporarily enlarged to receive a
terminal end of a toilet a paper rod with a larger diameter.
8. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 further
comprising a reducer in the opening for the toilet paper roll.
9. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
second portion is larger than the first portion.
10. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
second portion is heavier than the first portion.
11. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
height of each of the first end wall and the second end wall is
about 1 to about 2 inches.
12. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
height of each of the third end wall and the fourth end wall is
about 3 to about 4 inches.
13. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 2 wherein the
fastener comprises one of a snap lock, hook and loop fastener
means, a latch, a hook, a magnet, or pressure lock.
14. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least
a portion of at least one of the first portion or the second
portion comprises plastic, wood, metal, metal alloy, ceramic, mesh,
or fiberglass.
15. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least
a portion of the toilet paper housing has cutout shapes formed
therein.
16. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 further
comprising a transparent cover over at least a portion of one of
the first portion or the second portion and constructed and
arranged to define a slot therebetween, wherein a decorative sheet
may be positioned in the slot and under the transparent cover.
17. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
toilet paper rod is spring-loaded.
18. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
first portion and the second portion are not constructed and
arranged to be directly attached to a wall.
19. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein each end wall
includes an opening.
20. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first partial
cylindrical portion includes a projection and a through hole formed
therethrough to receive a portion of the rod.
22. A product as set forth in claim 20 wherein the projection
includes a nipple portion constructed and arranged to be press fit
into the opening.
23. A product as set forth in claim 8 therein the reducer comprises
a flange and a nipple extending therefrom and a through hole formed
through the nipple.
24. A product as set forth in claim 1 a further comprising a tongue
and groove constructed and arranged so that the first partial
cylindrical portion may be slideably moved with respect to the
second partial cylindrical portion, and wherein one of the tongue
or groove is provide in the first partial cylindrical portion, and
the other of the tongue and groove is provide in one of the second
partial cylindrical portion, the third end wall or the fourth end
wall.
25. A product as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a stop on
one of an outer face of the second partial cylindrical portion to
stop the slideable movement of the first partial cylindrical
portion over the second partial cylindrical portion or on an inner
face of the second partial cylindrical portion to stop the
slideable movement of the first partial cylindrical portion in side
the second partial cylindrical portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The field to which the disclosure generally relates includes
toilet paper roll accessories.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Children and pets have a tendency to pull toilet paper from
the toilet paper roll in a bathroom. A device to prevent this would
be very useful in the bathrooms of many households and places of
business.
SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One embodiment includes a product comprising: a toilet paper
roll housing comprising a first portion comprising a first partial
cylinder portion, a first end wall, and a second end wall; a second
portion comprising a second partial cylinder portion, a third end
wall, and a fourth end wall, wherein at least one of the first end
wall and the second end wall or the third end wall and the fourth
end wall each comprise a receiving portion to receive the terminal
end of a toilet paper rod supporting a toilet paper roll for
rotational movement thereon; wherein the first portion is
constructed and arranged to slide at least one of over or under the
second portion in an open position to allow access to the toilet
paper roll.
[0004] Other exemplary embodiments of the invention will become
apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It
should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while disclosing exemplary embodiments of the invention,
are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended
to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will become more
fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet paper roll housing according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a toilet paper roll housing according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 3A illustrates a toilet paper roll housing according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 3B is a partial, sectional view of a toilet paper roll
housing according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 3C is a partial view of a first portion of a toilet
paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3D is a partial, sectional view of a toilet paper roll
housing according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4A illustrates a toilet paper roll housing according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 4B is a sectional view of a toilet paper roll housing
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 5A is an end view a toilet paper roll housing according
to one embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 5B is an end view a toilet paper roll housing according
to another embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 5C an end view a toilet paper roll housing according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 5D is a perspective view of a reducer useful in one
embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 5E is a partial, sectional view of one embodiment of
the invention using a reducer to reduce the diameter of the opening
in the housing to receive a smaller toilet paper rod;
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a toilet paper roll housing according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a partial, sectional view illustrating latching
feature according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is an end view of a second portion of a toil paper
roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is an end view of first and second portions of a
toilet paper roll housing illustrating a slideable track feature
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 10A is a partial, side view illustrating a stop feature
used to stop the slideable movement of a first portion of the
housing over a second portion of the housing;
[0024] FIG. 10B is a partial, side view illustrating a stop feature
used to stop the slideable movement of a first portion of the
housing in side of a second portion of the housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The following description of the embodiment(s) is merely
exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment includes a toilet paper
housing 10 including a first portion 12 and a second portion 14.
The first portion 12 includes a first partial cylinder portion 16,
a first end wall 18, and a second end wall 20. The second portion
14 includes a second partial cylinder portion 22, a third end wall
24, and a fourth end wall 26. In one embodiment, the toilet paper
housing 10 includes a fastener 28 for releasably attaching the
first portion 12 and the second portion 14 to each other to include
a toilet paper roll 13 (shown in phantom) between the first portion
12 and the second portion 14 and to prevent access to the toilet
paper roll 13 in a closed position.
[0027] In one embodiment, the fastener 28 may include a first
fastener element 30 formed in the first portion 12 and a second
fastener element 32 formed in the second portion 14. For example,
as shown in FIG. 7, in one embodiment of the invention the first
fastener element 30 may be a latch paw and the second fastener 32
may be a stub or projection extending from an outer surface of the
second partial cylinder portion 22. Together, the first fastener
element 30 and the second fastener element 32 allow the first
portion 12 and the second portion 14 to completely close together
at an intersection 34 in a closed position. In this closed
position, children and pet animals may be hindered from gaining
access to the toilet paper roll 13. Yet older children and adults
may be able to unfasten the fastener 28 to gain access to the
toilet paper roll 13 and to insert a new toilet paper roll 13 into
the toilet paper housing 10.
[0028] The first portion 12 may be constructed and arranged to
slide over the second portion 14 or under the second portion 14 to
permit access to the toilet paper roll 13 when the toilet paper
housing 10 is in an open position. Referring to FIG. 2, the first
portion 12 and the second portion 14 are shown in an open position.
In this embodiment, the first portion 12 is constructed and
arranged to slide under the second portion 14 to allow access to
the toilet paper roll 13.
[0029] In one embodiment, the second portion 14 includes a
receiving portion 36 to receive a terminal end 38 of a toilet paper
rod 40 supporting a toilet paper roll 13 for rotational movement
thereon. In one embodiment of the invention, the receiving portion
36 is provided by the second wall 24 which may include a through
hole 44 formed therein. The toilet paper roll 13 may or may not
include a tube made of cardboard or other material in the center of
the roll. Referring to FIG. 3A, in one embodiment, the receiving
portion 36 may include an opening 44. In one embodiment, the toilet
paper rod 40 may be a spring loaded rod. The toilet paper rod 40
may extend through the opening 44 to make contact with an
attachment device 46 (shown in phantom lines) which attaches to a
wall to hold the toilet paper housing 10 in place, for example next
to a toilet. The attachment device 46 may be any suitable device
for attaching the toilet paper housing 10 to the wall, for example
any of the attachment devices known in the art and commonly used in
bathrooms. FIG. 3B shows a sectional view of the toilet paper
housing 10 with the opening 44 and the rod 40 extending through the
opening 44 to contact the attachment device 46. As shown in FIG.
3C, the first partial cylindrical portion 12 may include a
projection 100 and a through hole 102 formed therein to receive a
portion of the rod 40. As shown in FIG. 3D, optionally the
projection 100 may include a nipple 104 that may be press fit into
the opening 44 of the second partial cylindrical portion 14.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 4A, in another embodiment, the receiving
portion 36 may include a recess 38 formed, for example, in the
third wall 24. In one embodiment, the toilet paper rod 40 may
extend into the recess 48 and held in place so that the toilet
paper roll 42 will be supported for the rotational movement of the
toilet paper roll 42 when the first portion 12 and the second
portion 14 are in the open position. As shown in FIG. 4A, in one
embodiment including the recess 48, the toilet paper housing 10 may
be supported on a toilet paper stand 50. The toilet paper stand 50
may be attached to the second portion 14. The toilet paper stand 50
may be freestanding or it may be attached to the floor of a
bathroom, for example. In this embodiment, the attachment device 46
is not needed for the toilet paper housing 10 to function properly.
The toilet paper stand 50 allows the user to access the toilet
paper roll 13 when the first portion 12 and the second portion 14
are in the open position. FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the toilet
paper housing 10 of FIG. 4A showing the recess 48 and the toilet
paper rod 40.
[0031] A toilet paper roll 13 may include a tube (not shown) made
of cardboard or other material in the center of the roll, wherein
the inner diameter of the tube may vary. Likewise, the outer
diameter of a toilet paper rod 40 may vary.
[0032] The toilet paper roll may be received on a rod 40 that may
vary in diameter as well. Referring to FIG. 5A, in one embodiment
the toilet paper housing 10 may include a perforated edge 52 around
the outside of the opening 44 for the toilet paper rod 40. In this
embodiment, the opening 44 may be permanently enlarged to receive
the terminal end 38 of a toilet paper rod 40 with a larger
diameter. The opening 44 may be enlarged by punching out the
perforated section bounded by the perforated edge 52.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 5B, in another embodiment the toilet paper
roll housing 10 may include a plurality of flexible tabs
surrounding the opening 44. In this embodiment, the opening 44 may
be temporarily enlarged to receive the terminal end 38 of the
toilet paper rod 40 with a larger diameter. The flexible tabs 54
may be temporarily bent in order to enlarge the opening 44 to
receive a larger diameter rod 40. However, this enlargement is
reversible if subsequently a toilet paper rod 40 with a smaller
diameter is desired. The flexible tabs 54 may return to their
original position due to the elastic memory of the material or the
tabs may be pushed back to their original position so that the
opening 44 is smaller.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 5C, another embodiment may include a
hinged portion 46 with a hinge 47 around the opening 44. The hinged
portion 46 may be swung open in order to enlarge the opening 44 to
receive the terminal end 38 of the toilet paper rod 40 with a
larger diameter. The hinged portion 46 could also be reversed to
accommodate a smaller diameter. Referring to FIG. 5D, one
embodiment of the invention may include other means of the larger
or shrinking the opening 44, for example but not limited to, a
washer 110 which may include a flange and a nipple 114 extending
therefrom including a through hole 116 formed there through. The
nipple 114 may be press fit into the third wall 24 to reduce the
size of the opening 44 as shown in FIG. 5E. Optionally the nipple
114 may also extend through the opening 108 in the first wall
18.
[0035] Referring again to FIG. 5B, in one embodiment, the first
portion 12 may be smaller than the second portion 14. The height,
H1, of the first end wall 18 and the second end wall 20 of the
first portion 12 may be smaller than the height, H2, of the third
end wall 24 and the forth end wall 26 of the second portion 14. In
one embodiment, the first portion 12 is heavier than the second
portion 14. In one embodiment, the relative height and weight of
the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 are such that when a
user opens and closes the toilet paper housing 10, the toilet paper
housing 10 remains relatively stable.
[0036] In one embodiment, the height H1 of each of the first end
wall 18 and the second end wall 20 of the first portion 12 may be
about 1 to about 2 inches. The height H2 of each of the third end
wall 24 and the fourth end wall 26 of the second portion 14 may be
about 3 to about 4 inches. In other embodiments, the height H1 may
be about 2 to about 3, and the height H2 may be about 31/2 to about
43/4.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 6, the fastener 28 may include any
type of suitable fastener. The fastener 28 may be, but is not
limited to, for example, a snap lock, VELCRO.RTM. (hook and loop
fastener means), a magnet, a latch, a hook, or pressure lock. In
one embodiment, at least a portion of the first portion 12 or the
second portion 14 may be composed of plastic, wood, metal, metal
alloy, ceramic, mesh, or fiberglass.
[0038] In one embodiment, the toilet paper housing 10 may include
cut-out shapes 56 in at least a portion of the toilet paper housing
10. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first end portion 18 and
the third end portion 24 may include the cut-out shapes 56. In one
embodiment, the cut-out shapes 56 may extend all the way through
the toilet paper housing 10 such that the toilet paper roll 18 may
be seen from the outside. In another embodiment, the cut-out shapes
56 may be constructed of a different material and/or be of a
different color than the surrounding portion of the toilet paper
housing 10.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the toilet paper
housing 10 may include a transparent cover 58 positioned over at
least a portion of the first portion 12 or the second portion 14.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the transparent cover 58 may be
positioned over the entirety of the first partial cylinder portion
16 and the second partial cylinder portion 22 to define a slot 120
therebetween. A decorative sheet may be received through an open
end of the slot 120 and under the transparent cover 58. For
example, the decorative sheet may include paper, cloth, a
wallpaper, a portion of wallpaper, or any other decorative
material. In this way, the toilet paper housing 10 may be
coordinated with any bathroom. The user may also periodically
change the decorative sheet under the transparent cover 58 in order
to change the decorative look of the toilet paper housing 10.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 9, in one embodiment of the invention
the first partial cylindrical portion 12 may include a projection
130 or tongue that is slideably received in a track 132 or groove
provided in the second partial cylindrical portion 14. In this
embodiment of the invention the projection 100 and through hole 102
shown in FIG. 3C is not needed. In one embodiment of the invention
includes a tongue 130 and groove 132 means constructed and arranged
so that the first partial cylindrical portion 12 may be slideably
moved with respect to the second partial cylindrical portion 14,
and wherein one of the tongue 130 or groove 132 is provide in the
first partial cylindrical portion 12, and the other of the tongue
130 and groove 132 is provide in one of the second partial
cylindrical portion 14, the third end wall 24 or the fourth end
wall 26.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 10A a stop 134 may be provided on an outer
face 23 of the second partial cylindrical portion 14 to stop the
slideable movement of the first partial cylindrical portion 12 over
the second partial cylindrical portion 14. Alternatively, as shown
in FIG. 10B, a stop 134 may be provided on an inner face 21 of the
second partial cylindrical portion 14 to stop the slideable
movement of the first partial cylindrical portion 12 in side the
second partial cylindrical portion 14.
[0042] The above description of embodiments of the invention is
merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations thereof are not to
be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *