U.S. patent application number 13/006721 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-19 for wet and dry toilet roll dispenser.
Invention is credited to Frederic Peter Cofrancesco.
Application Number | 20120181297 13/006721 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46490006 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120181297 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cofrancesco; Frederic
Peter |
July 19, 2012 |
WET AND DRY TOILET ROLL DISPENSER
Abstract
A combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser. The
combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser includes a hollow
housing having an outer wall with a circular cross section and an
inner wall defining an inner longitudinal opening. First and second
sidewalls are provided each having a body enclosing an end of the
hollow housing. A first side arm is formed as an extension of the
body of the first sidewall and a second side arm is formed as an
extension of the body of the second sidewall wherein the first and
second side arms protrude in parallel outwardly from each side wall
on each side of the hollow housing to a terminal end. The terminal
end of each side arm includes an opening which receives a support
bar in between the first and second side arms.
Inventors: |
Cofrancesco; Frederic Peter;
(Sparta, NJ) |
Family ID: |
46490006 |
Appl. No.: |
13/006721 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/326 20130101;
A47K 10/38 20130101; A47K 2010/3266 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/26 |
International
Class: |
B65H 16/00 20060101
B65H016/00 |
Claims
1. A combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser comprising: a
hollow housing between an outer wall and an inner wall wherein the
inner wall includes an inner longitudinal opening; first and second
sidewalls each having a body enclosing an end of the hollow
housing; a first side arm formed as an extension of the body of the
first sidewall and a second side arm formed as an extension of the
body of the second sidewall wherein the first and second side arms
protrude in parallel outwardly from each side wall on each side of
the hollow housing to a terminal end; wherein the first side arm
and body of the first sidewall are formed as a single piece and the
second side arm and body of the second sidewall are formed as a
single piece; and wherein the terminal end of each side arm
includes an opening which receives a support bar in between the
first and second side arms.
2. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser of claim 1
further comprising an access opening formed within the outer wall
of the hollow housing.
3. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser of claim 2
further comprising a flip lid sealably and releasably covering the
access opening on the outer wall of the a hollow housing.
4. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser of claim 3
further comprising a tab on a lower longitudinal edge of the flip
lid.
5. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser of claim 1
wherein the hollow housing has the axial and radial width of a
conventional roll of toilet paper such that the combination wet and
dry toilet paper dispenser fits within a bracket of a conventional
toilet paper holder.
6. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser of claim 1
wherein the hollow housing has a circular cross section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a wet and dry toilet tissue roll
dispenser. More specifically, this invention is directed to a
dispenser for a roll of moist toilet tissue wipes that fits into an
existing toilet paper holder to dispense both wet and dry rolls of
toilet paper in one location with one dispenser.
[0002] Moist toilet tissue wipes are conditioned pieces of tissue
or cloth moistened with water and includes gentle cleansing agents,
antibacterial agents, softeners, lotions, and the like. These
products are often referred to as baby wipes or wet wipes, and are
commonly packaged in sealable plastic tubs that keep the cloths
moist and allow for easy dispensing. Traditionally, baby wipes have
been used to cleanse the skin of infants, and have become a
standard part of baby changing kits. In recent years, because
moistened toilet tissue and baby wipes are compact, disposable, and
can be used virtually anywhere, their popularity and use has grown
beyond uses associated with infants. Moistened toilet tissue and
baby wipes have become indispensable in the everyday lives of many
consumers for providing quick, easy, effective and convenient
antibacterial cleansing in addition to avoiding contagious
illnesses, particularly in connection with the use of toilet paper
in private and public restrooms. Use of baby wipes after dry toilet
paper is more sanitary and becoming a growing practice. However,
because traditionally, moistened toilet paper, baby wipes and the
like are provided in tubs or separate containers, such products are
either unavailable or not conveniently and readily accessible to
individuals using restrooms. Consequently, a need has arisen to
address these deficiencies.
[0003] Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention
to provide a combination moist and dry toilet paper dispenser from
one location with one dispenser.
[0004] Another object of the present invention to provide an
adaptable combination moist and dry toilet paper dispenser from a
single housing that fits within a traditional toilet paper
holder.
[0005] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a combination moist and dry toilet paper dispenser that is
inexpensive.
[0006] These and other objects, features or advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the specification and
claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser includes a
hollow housing having an outer wall with a circular cross section
and an inner wall defining an inner longitudinal opening. First and
second sidewalls are provided each having a body enclosing an end
of the hollow housing. A first side arm is formed as an extension
of the body of the first sidewall and a second side arm is formed
as an extension of the body of the second sidewall wherein the
first and second side arms protrude in parallel outwardly from each
side wall on each side of the hollow housing to a terminal end. The
terminal end of each side arm includes an opening which receives a
support bar in between the first and second side arms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination wet and dry
toilet paper dispenser; and
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a combination wet
and dry toilet paper dispenser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[0010] Referring to the figures, a combination wet and dry toilet
paper dispenser 10 includes a single dispenser body 12 which is the
size and shape of a conventional roll of toilet paper and is
adaptable to conventional toilet paper dispensers and houses and
supports both moist toilet paper or conventional wet wipes/baby
wipes and a roll of toilet paper. The dispenser body 12 includes a
hollow housing 14 that preferably is cylindrical. The hollow
housing 14 includes an outer wall 16 having a circular cross
section and an inner wall 18 which is concentric with the outer
wall 18 and defines an inner longitudinal opening 20 through the
hollow housing 14 along the central radius of the housing 14
wherein in a preferred embodiment, the inner opening 20 has a
radius larger than that of a conventional toilet paper rod or dowel
such that the dispenser body 12 is able to be freely and pivotably
suspended therefrom.
[0011] An access opening 22 is provided within the surface of the
outer wall 16 of the housing 14 and in one embodiment includes a
recess 24 formed in the opening's 22 lower edge. An arcuate flip
lid 28 is pivotably attached to the housing 14 at an upper
longitudinal end, and is provided to sealably and releasably cover
the access opening 22. In one embodiment the flip lid 28 includes a
tab 30 on a lower longitudinal edge aligned with the opening's
recess 24. Alternatively, the flip lid 28 has a second flip lid
with a slotted opening that provides access to the interior of the
body 12.
[0012] The dispenser body 12 also includes first and second side
walls 32, 34 each with an outer circular profile and an inner
opening 36 for receiving a toilet paper rod or dowel 38. The
opening 36 aligns with the outer wall 16 and the inner opening 20,
respectively, to enclose the housing 14 at both ends. The first and
second side walls 32, 34 include first and second side arms 42, 44
which are formed as extensions of the body of the first and second
side walls 32, 34, respectively, to protrude in parallel spaced
relation outwardly from the outer circular profile of each side
wall 32, 34 and from each side of the hollow housing 14
perpendicular to the housing's inner wall 18 and central opening 20
to a terminal end 45. In a preferred embodiment, the lateral width
of each side arm 42, 44 segment is larger than the diameter of the
housing's inner wall 16 and openings 20 and 36 and the length at
which each side arm 42, 44 extends from the outer wall 16 of the
housing 14 is greater than the radial length of the hollow housing
14. Formed within the body and at the terminal ends 45 of each side
arm 42, 44 is a dowel or toilet paper rod opening 46 sized to
receive each end of a dowel or toilet paper rod 48 such that the
dowel or toilet paper rod 48 is retained within both openings 46 to
support a conventional roll of toilet paper 50 thereon between the
first and second side arms 42, 44.
[0013] In one embodiment as best shown in FIG. 2 the side wall 34
and side arm 44 separate from the body 12 such that a wet wipe roll
52 can load into the side of the housing 14. The side wall 34 and
side arm 44 fit into the opening of the housing 14 and with
approximately one-fourth of a turn seals to fasten the side wall 34
to the housing 14. In this embodiment if the dispenser body 12 is
the same width as the roll of toilet paper 50 the side arms 42 and
44 can sit low and outside of the sidewalls or may be curved.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the axial and radial width of the
housing 14 corresponds to the axial and radial width of the
conventional roll of toilet paper 50 such that the dispenser body
12 is supported by a first conventional dowel or toilet paper rod
38 and retained within the brackets or arms 40 of any conventional
toilet paper holder. At the same time the housing 14 allows the
conventional roll of toilet paper 50 to be supported by a second
dowel or toilet paper rod 48 between the first and second side arms
42, 44 such that the conventional roll of toilet paper 50 is
pivotably supported by and in parallel series with the dowel or
toilet paper rod 38 within the bracket 40 of any conventional
toilet paper holder.
[0015] In operation, a wet roll of conventional moistened toilet
paper or baby/wet wipes is loaded within the dispenser body's 12
hollow housing 14. Next, the dowel or toilet paper rod 38 is
inserted through the openings 36 of each side wall 32, 34 such that
the toilet paper rod 38 is disposed freely within the inner opening
20 of the hollow housing's inner wall 18 and the ends of the dowel
38 protruding from the side wall openings 36 to permit the
dispenser body 12 to be supported within the bracket 40 of any
conventional toilet paper holder. The second dowel 48 is then
disposed through a conventional roll of toilet paper 50 and each
end of the second dowel 48 is placed within the openings 46 such
that the dry roll of toilet paper 50 is supported between the first
and second support arms 42, 44. With both the wet roll of toilet
paper or baby wipes loaded into the hollow housing 14 and the dry
roll of toilet paper 50 supported by the dispenser body 12, after
using the dry roll of toilet paper 50, the user is able to access
the wet roll of toilet paper or baby wipes sealably housed within
the hollow housing 14 via the flip lid 38 and access opening
22.
[0016] Therefore, a combination moist and dry toilet paper
dispenser 12 has been disclosed which is inexpensive, provides a
single dispenser body which is the size and shape of a conventional
roll of toilet paper, is adaptable to fit within any traditional
toilet paper holder dispenser, and finally houses and supports both
moist toilet paper or conventional wet wipes/baby wipes and a roll
of toilet paper from one location with one dispenser. As a result
at the very least all of the stated objectives have been met.
[0017] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
other various modifications could be made to the device without the
parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such
modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and
are intended to be covered thereby.
* * * * *