U.S. patent application number 13/274634 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-20 for multiple roll toilet paper holder and dispenser.
Invention is credited to Betty Channel, Roy Channel.
Application Number | 20120234963 13/274634 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46827700 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120234963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Channel; Roy ; et
al. |
September 20, 2012 |
MULTIPLE ROLL TOILET PAPER HOLDER AND DISPENSER
Abstract
Disclosed is a device and method for storing and dispensing
multiple rolls of toilet paper. The present invention comprises a
weighted base with an elongated vertical body, onto which several
rolls of toilet paper can be placed. The top portion of the
elongated body pivots, and can lock in a vertical position,
allowing for storage of additional rolls of toilet paper. The top
portion can also lock into a horizontal position for use of a
toilet paper roll mounted thereon. Once a roll of toilet paper is
depleted, a user slides a replacement roll up the vertical body,
and over the pivot, where it rests on the top portion.
Inventors: |
Channel; Roy; (Ottawa,
KS) ; Channel; Betty; (Ottawa, KS) |
Family ID: |
46827700 |
Appl. No.: |
13/274634 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61452689 |
Mar 15, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/560.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/3253 20130101;
A47K 10/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/560.2 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38; A47K 10/22 20060101 A47K010/22 |
Claims
1) A toilet paper dispenser for holding and dispensing a plurality
of rolls of toilet paper comprising: an elongated, vertical body
with a first and second end; said elongated body first end being
connected to a base; said elongated body second end having a
pivoting means attached to an upper portion, allowing said upper
portion to be pivoted between a vertical position and a horizontal
position, wherein a roll of toilet paper having a first and second
end is held on said upper portion by a plurality of flexible
retainers engaging said first and second ends of said roll of
toilet paper, said flexible retainers are capable of bending toward
and away from said pivoting means.
2) A device as in claim 1, wherein said elongated body has a
diameter that is less than the diameter of a hollow cardboard tube
containing said toilet paper.
3) A device as in claim 1, wherein said upper portion has an axial
length at least as great as a roll of toilet paper.
4) (canceled)
5) (canceled)
6) A device as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of retainers are
removable to allow said roll of toilet paper to be received or
dispensed.
7) A device as in claim 6, wherein said removable retainers
comprise a single retainer that fits through a hole within said
upper portion.
8) (canceled)
9) (canceled)
10) A method of placing toilet paper rolls on a toilet paper
dispenser, comprising the steps of: locking a pivoting means in a
vertical position aligning it with a vertical lower body, sliding
said rolls of toilet paper down an upper portion, over a plurality
of flexible retainers, over said pivoting means, down a said
vertical lower body, resting on top of a base.
11) A method of placing a new roll of toilet paper on a toilet
paper dispenser, comprising the steps of: locking a pivoting means
in a vertical position, removing a cardboard tube from a previously
used roll of toilet paper, moving said roll of toilet paper from a
storage position up a vertical body, over said pivoting means,
coming to rest on an upper portion between a first flexible
retainer are and a second flexible retainer.
12) The method of claim 11, further comprising: placing said
pivoting means in a horizontal position after positioning said roll
of toilet paper comes to rest on said upper portion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/452,689 filed on Mar. 15, 2011, entitled "TP
Holder."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a toilet paper roll holder.
More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved
toilet paper roll dispenser and holder for residential use that
stores multiple rolls of toilet paper and allows for easy
replacement of toilet paper rolls when a new roll is required.
[0004] Toilet paper is a soft type of paper product used to
maintain personal hygiene. It is distinguishable from facial tissue
because toilet paper is designed to decompose in a septic tank.
Toilet paper comes in a wide variety of plys, colors, and scents.
Regardless of type, virtually all toilet paper is wrapped on a
cardboard tube.
[0005] Toilet paper holders are found in virtually every home in
the United States. A traditional toilet paper dispenser is designed
to hold only one roll of toilet paper. This requires a storage
location for additional rolls, and requires checking to make sure
there is sufficient toilet paper in the dispenser prior to use. In
addition, traditional toilet paper dispensers are constructed with
retractable sides and spring-loaded mechanisms in their center.
This design causes problems for users who have difficulty grasping
and controlling the sides. Such individuals may need assistance in
replacing toilet paper rolls.
[0006] The present invention is designed to give consumers an
easily accessible place to store multiple rolls of toilet paper for
when their current roll is emptied, and allows consumers to easily
replace a new roll. The design contains a toilet paper dispenser
with a weighted base and an elongated vertical body, onto which
several rolls of toilet paper can be placed. The top portion of the
elongated body pivots, and may be locked at a vertical position,
allowing for storage of new rolls of toilet paper, or may be locked
at a horizontal position for dispensation of the toilet paper for
use. Once a roll of toilet paper is depleted, users slide a
replacement roll up the vertical body, over the pivot, where it
rests on the horizontal body.
[0007] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0008] There are several toilet paper holders in the prior art that
are designed to hold more than one roll of toilet paper. For
example, Grunerud, U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,912 discloses a dispenser
for toilet paper. The dispenser has a storage container which
allows a plurality of rolls to be stored in an end-to-end stack
arrangement. The lowest roll can be dispensed by a user through a
side opening in the storage container. When the lowest roll is
completely used, the user can discharge the roll core by pulling a
slide plate outwardly to align an aperture in the slide plate with
the used core. Devices such as this are intended for use in public
bathrooms, where theft of toilet paper rolls is of greater concern
than ease of use. These designs are not suitable for residential
settings.
[0009] Other devices disclosed in the prior art are designed only
to store extra rolls of toilet paper. Hooser, U.S. Pat. No.
4,432,451 discloses a bathroom accessory in the form of a canister
for convenient storage of extra rolls of toilet paper and a suction
type device. Such devices are not intended to dispense toilet
paper, therefore requiring a separate dispenser.
[0010] Several devices designed for the home function both as
storage containers and as toilet paper dispensers. Kelley, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,887,818 discloses a device and method for dispensing and
storing multiple rolls toilet paper, which has a storage frame
configured to hold multiple rolls on a generally vertical shaft.
The shaft extends upward from the bottom of the frame with the
uppermost roll of material being freely accessible for use on the
shaft. A lifting assembly is slideably secured to the shaft and
positioned below the bottom roll of rolled material. Kaysserian,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,475 discloses a container for storing and
dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue stacked vertically
adjacent to one another and includes tubular side walls. Sineni,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,809 discloses a toilet paper holder and roll
dispenser for residential use that includes an enclosed, vertically
tubular body that receives the rolls, with a bracket adapted to fit
over the top rim of a conventional residential toilet tank under
the tank cover without the need for any special fasteners or wall
damage. An actuator rod is slideable in axial slots in the body to
shift the rolls upwardly so that the top roll may be easily
removed, and the rod may be locked in any desired position by
simply rotating the rod 90 degrees. While these devices are
designed for the home, they store extra rolls of toilet paper
inside a canister, and use complicated mechanisms to remove toilet
paper rolls. This can cause difficulty for some users when
accessing additional rolls.
[0011] The devices in the prior art are designed for commercial
applications, and are not suitable for use by those who have
difficulty replacing toilet paper rolls on traditional dispensers.
The present invention is designed for use by all individuals,
particularly children, elderly persons, and other individuals who
may have difficulty replacing toilet paper rolls on traditional
dispensers. It substantially diverges in design elements from the
prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the
art for an improvement to existing toilet paper holders and
dispensers. In this regard the instant invention substantially
fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of toilet paper holders and dispensers now present in the
prior art, the present invention provides a new toilet paper holder
and dispenser wherein the same can be utilized for providing
convenience for the user when dispensing and using toilet
paper.
[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved toilet paper holder and dispenser device
that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the
disadvantages.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
device that provides convenient storage and use of multiple rolls
of toilet paper.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
portable, free standing toilet paper holder and dispenser that can
be positioned by an individual user as desired.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
toilet paper holder and dispenser that permits easy removal of the
cardboard tube that remains after a roll of toilet paper is
used.
[0017] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a toilet paper holder and dispenser that permits easy replacement
of a roll of toilet paper with one that is stored on the dispenser
for those who have difficulty with conventional toilet paper
dispensers.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
toilet paper holder and dispenser that permits accessibility to the
toilet paper roll being used.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
toilet paper holder and dispenser that permits easy detection of
the number of rolls of toilet paper remaining.
[0020] A final object of the present invention is to provide a
toilet paper holder and dispenser that provides a low cost, simple
and reliable solution to the known problems of toilet paper
dispensers and holders.
[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention in
a horizontal position, including a vertical elongated body, base,
pivoting means, horizontal upper portion, inner roll retainer and
outer roll retainer.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention in
a vertical position including a vertical elongated body, base,
pivoting means, vertical upper portion, inner roll retainer and
outer roll retainer.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the present invention in
a vertical position with a roll of toilet paper mounted to the
upper portion and three rolls of toilet paper in the storage
position.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the present invention in
a horizontal position with a roll of toilet paper in a working
position along the upper portion and three rolls of toilet paper in
the storage position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the convertible hooded garment. For the
purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present
invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for
collapsing the entire garment into a condensed state. The figures
are intended for representative purposes only and should not be
considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view
of the present invention, comprising a vertical elongated body 11,
a base 12, a pivoting means 13, a horizontal upper portion 14, an
inner roll retainer 15 and an outer roll retainer 16. The base 12
is attached to the vertical elongated body 11 and provides a
weighted platform to support the device, associated toilet paper
rolls and further attachments. The overall height of the vertical
body 11 makes the design susceptible to tipping over. To prevent
this, the base 12 must be sufficiently weighted avoid movement of
the vertical body 11 when in use and lifting of the base 12 from a
flat, prone position. The vertical body 11 comprises a round
structure, and has a diameter that is less than that of a standard
cardboard tube toilet paper roll. The vertical body 11 is ideally
suited to allow multiple rolls of toilet paper to be stored
thereon, therefore the vertical body 11 must be of sufficient
length to accommodate a number of rolls desired by the user, while
still providing a working position that is suited for use while in
a seated position.
[0029] The top of the vertical body 11 comprises a pivoting means
13 and a pivoting upper portion 14. The upper portion 14 is adapted
to hold a single roll of toilet paper that is ready for use. The
pivoting means 13 is a hinged joint that allows the upper portion
14 to be placed in a vertical position as seen in FIG. 2, or a
horizontal position as seen in FIG. 1. The hinged portion of the
pivoting means 13 comprises a revolute joint that allows the upper
portion 14 to pivot 180 degrees, from one horizontal position to an
opposing horizontal.
[0030] The inner roll retainer 15 and outer roll retainer 16 are
both flexible, cantilevered structures that can fold towards the
upper portion 14 terminal end or away from its terminal end under
shearing load exerted by a toilet paper roll. The inner roll
retainer 15 and outer roll retainer 16 positionally hold the toilet
paper in a working position, and fold to allow a roll of toilet
paper to pass over them when a sufficient force is applied thereto.
The inner roll retainer 15 prevents the roll of toilet paper from
sliding down the vertical body 11, while the outer roll retainer 16
prevents the roll of toilet paper from sliding off the end of the
upper portion while in use. When a roll of toilet paper is
depleted, the empty cardboard tube slides over the upper portion 14
and makes contact with the outer roll retainer 16. The outer roll
retainer 16 folds towards the end of the upper portion and the tube
passes over the outer roll retainer 16, allowing removal of the
tube from the upper portion 14. The flexibility of the retainers
allows their use when in an extended position, while also allowing
a roll of toilet paper to pass thereover via retainer deflection
and without requiring their removal.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view
of the present invention in the vertical position. In this
orientation, the pivoting means 13 is positioned vertically,
placing the upper portion 14 in alignment with the vertical body
13. From the vertical position, the outer roll retainer 16 and
inner roll retainer 15 fold, allowing storage or removal of toilet
paper rolls from the vertical body 11. The hinge portion of the
pivoting means 13 may further provide a locking detent for locking
the upper portion 14 in a vertical or horizontal position, keeping
the upper portion 14 in a static position to allow for ease of use
when storing, removing or utilizing the toilet paper.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view
of the present invention in the vertical position with three rolls
of toilet paper 18 in a storage position and one roll of toilet
paper 17 in a working position. To store toilet paper on the
device, the outer 16 and inner 15 roll retainers fold, and the
pivoting means 13 locks in the vertical position. Toilet paper
rolls 18 are then slid over the upper portion 14, over the pivoting
means 13, down the length of the vertical body 11. The toilet paper
rolls then rest on top of the base 12 and are stacked
accordingly.
[0033] There are two methods of replacing a roll of toilet paper
and placing a roll in a working position 17. To move a roll from
the storage position 18 to the working position 17, a user locks
the pivoting means 13 in the vertical position. The cardboard tube
from the previously used roll of toilet paper is removed from the
upper portion 14. A roll from the storage position is moved up the
vertical body 11, over the pivoting means 13 and comes to rest on
the upper portion 14, directly under the outer roll retainer 16.
Finally, the pivoting means 13 is placed in the working position as
shown in FIG. 4.
[0034] An alternative method of placing a roll of toilet paper in a
working position 17 is to add a new roll from an external source. A
user locks the pivoting means 13 in the vertical position, and the
cardboard tube from the previously used roll of toilet paper is
removed from the upper portion 14. A new roll slides over the upper
portion 14 and rests at the inner roll retainer 15. The pivoting
means 13 is placed in a horizontal working position as shown in
FIG. 4. A further option is for the user to leave the pivoting
means 13 in the horizontal working position, and slide a new roll
onto the upper portion 14.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view
of the present invention in a horizontal position, wherein three
rolls of toilet paper 18 are placed in a storage position and one
roll of toilet paper 17 is placed in the working position. The roll
in the working position 17 spins on the upper portion 14, allowing
a user to remove toilet paper from the roll. The pivoting means 13
locks the upper portion 14 in the horizontal position detent,
allowing access to the roll 17. When the working roll 17 is empty,
the cardboard tube is removed, and a new roll is replaced by either
of the previously mentioned methods for replacing a new roll.
[0036] In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is
constructed of a metallic material for improved weight of the base
and easy cleaning. In an alternative embodiment, the device can be
constructed from plastic, wood, or a similar material. A further
alternative embodiment encompasses a magazine holder or sanitizing
wipe holder being positioned into the base of the device, wherein a
rack is provided that functions to hold either product for a user
occupying a nearby space. The holder may encompass any
rectangularly flanged holder that can support upright magazines or
a wipe container in a position adjacent to stowed rollers along the
vertical body 11. In yet another alternative embodiment, the inner
roll retainer 15 and outer roll retainer 16 may also be removable.
The means for removing the retainers include tapped holes and
threaded engagement of the retainers, a simple through hole and
singular retainer that is pushed therethrough, or finally a
depressible retainer that is spring loaded within the upper portion
14 body.
[0037] To this point, the instant invention has been shown and
described in what is considered to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures
may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With
respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
[0038] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *