U.S. patent application number 14/146948 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-09 for compact sized paper towel and dispensers.
The applicant listed for this patent is J. Robert Pherson, Sandra K. Pherson. Invention is credited to J. Robert Pherson, Sandra K. Pherson.
Application Number | 20150190018 14/146948 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53494321 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150190018 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pherson; J. Robert ; et
al. |
July 9, 2015 |
COMPACT SIZED PAPER TOWEL AND DISPENSERS
Abstract
A compact paper towel roll and a dispenser comprising a
plurality of compact sheets attached to each other at a perforated
edge, where the perforated edge comprises a width of at least half
of a standard paper towel sheet width; wherein the compact paper
towel roll fits into the dispenser for distribution of individual
compact sheets. The dispenser may be embodied as a dual paper towel
holder where both a compact and a standard size roll fit.
Alternatively, the dispenser may be a housing that receives the
compact paper towel roll and may be fastened to a counter.
Inventors: |
Pherson; J. Robert; (Wesley
Chapel, FL) ; Pherson; Sandra K.; (Wesley Chapel,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pherson; J. Robert
Pherson; Sandra K. |
Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel |
FL
FL |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53494321 |
Appl. No.: |
14/146948 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/590 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/326 20130101;
A47K 10/16 20130101; A47K 10/38 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/22 20060101
A47K010/22 |
Claims
1. A compact paper towel roll and a coordinating dispenser
comprising: a. a plurality of compact sheets attached to each other
at a perforated edge, where the perforated edge comprises a width
of at least half of a standard paper towel sheet width; wherein the
compact paper towel roll fits into the dispenser for distribution
of individual compact sheets.
2. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 1,
where the dispenser is a dual dispenser able to hold the compact
paper towel roll and a standard size paper towel roll.
3. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 2,
where the dispenser includes: a. a backing, where the backing
includes a first portion behind the compact paper towel roll and a
second portion behind the standard paper towel roll; b. a pair of
outer arms at each end of the backing; c. an inner arm extending
from the backing, where the inner arm fits between the compact
paper towel roll and the standard paper towel roll; and d. a
protrusion on each arm to fasten the compact paper towel roll and
the standard paper towel roll within the dispenser.
4. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 3,
where the central arm is composed of two pieces to provide a pair
of inner arms, one arm for each paper towel roll.
5. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 4,
where the backing includes a seam between the pair of inner arms,
where the seam enables the backing to separate.
6. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 1,
where the dispenser includes a. a housing, where the housing
contains the compact paper towel roll; b. a base beneath the
housing; and c. a cover on the housing, where the cover includes an
opening to dispense the compact paper towel roll.
7. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 6,
where the housing is cuboidal.
8. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 6,
where the housing is cylindrical.
9. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 6,
where the base is weighted.
10. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim
6, where the base fastenes to a counter.
11. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim
1, where the dispenser includes a base with a pair of arms
positioned at opposing edges of the base, where individual sheets
of the compact paper towel are positioned between the pair of arms.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a paper towel roll that is
smaller in width than the standard paper towel roll, with a
coordinating dispenser to accommodate the smaller size.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Paper towels are a commonly used cleaning tool in most
homes, offices, schools and the like. Because of their disposable
convenience, paper towels have replaced cloth wipes and towels for
most cleaning tasks. The paper towels are easily thrown away after
use, instead of having to repeatedly clean the cloth wipe every
time it gets soiled. Since they are disposable the paper towels are
convenient to take in the car or even while camping.
[0005] Nowadays the paper towels are available in many forms from
rolls to individual folded sheets. In most public restrooms or
kitchens, the paper towel rolls are typically a continuous sheet
that is cut by the dispenser as needed upon dispensing.
Alternatively, most home use paper towel rolls are sheets of paper
towel attached at a perforated edge. This way the user does not
require the cutting dispenser. They may simply tear the individual
sheet away as needed. The individual sheets are available in two
sizes, a standard size and a smaller select-a-size. The
select-a-size paper towel sheets comprise a length that is almost
half the length of a standard sheet of paper towel making it
convenient for small messes and surfaces. But even these sheets may
be too big for some tasks like wiping the top of a soda can or
removing a smudge on a pair of glasses. With such small debris
removal the rest of the standard size or select-a-size paper towel
sheet is wasted causing more trash at the end of the day; which
ultimately ends up in a landfill and wastes even more of our
nation's natural resources.
[0006] Therefore it would be beneficial in the art to provide a
smaller paper towel sheet for easy cleaning of the smallest areas
and surfaces. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a
holder for these small paper towel sheets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior
art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a
compact paper towel roll with a coordinating dispenser, configured
to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome
the drawbacks inherent therein.
[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a paper towel roll that comprises smaller sheet width than
the standard paper towel roll sheet.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
coordinating holder for a compact paper towel roll.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
compact paper towel roll dispenser that fits both a compact paper
towel roll and a standard paper towel roll.
[0011] To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present
invention, a compact paper towel roll and a dispenser is described
comprising a plurality of compact sheets attached to each other at
a perforated edge, where the perforated edge comprises a width of
at least half of a standard paper towel sheet width; wherein the
compact paper towel roll fits into the dispenser for distribution
of individual compact sheets. The dispenser may be embodied as a
dual paper towel holder where both a compact and a standard size
roll fit. Alternatively, the dispenser may be a housing that
receives the compact paper towel roll and is fastened to a
counter.
[0012] These together with other aspects of the present invention,
along with the various features of novelty that characterize the
present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a
better understanding of the present invention, its operating
advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses,
reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary
embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The advantages and features of the present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following detailed
description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols,
and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a dual paper towel
dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 1(A) depicts an enlarged top view of a pair of inner
arms of a dual paper towel dispenser in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1(B) depicts an enlarged top view of a center arm of a
dual paper towel dispenser in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a compact paper towel
dispenser in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2(A) depicts a perspective view of a compact paper
towel dispenser with an alternative housing in accordance with a
third embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a compact paper towel
dispenser in accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The present invention relates to a paper towel roll that is
smaller in width than the standard paper towel roll, and a
dispenser to accommodate the smaller size. The present invention
provides a compact paper towel roll and dispenser as a way to give
a user options for paper towel sheet size and to prevent waste
accumulated with large paper towels. The compact paper towel roll
is approximately half to a quarter size of the standard paper towel
roll width. The compact paper towel roll may fit into a variety of
dispensers. For example, a dual fitting holder that fits a standard
paper towel roll and a compact paper towel roll. The smaller size
of the compact paper towel roll sheets is perfect for wiping small
areas or items like the top of a soda can or a pair of glasses,
thereby effectively eliminating the wastefulness inherent in
traditional paper towels.
[0022] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG.
1, a dual paper towel dispenser 10 is shown in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The dual paper towel
dispenser 10 includes a backing 12 that runs the length of the
dispenser 10. The backing 12 is divided into two portions, a first
portion 13a and a second portion 13b. The first portion 13a
supports the backing 12 behind a compact paper towel roll 40,
whereas the second portion 13b supports the backing 12 behind a
standard paper towel roll 30. The dual paper towel dispenser 10 may
be made from a lightweight plastic or metal.
[0023] The backing 12 includes a pair of outer arms 14a, 14b and at
least one inner arm 16. A first pair of arms 14a, 16 secures the
compact paper towel roll 40. The compact paper towel roll 40
includes a plurality of compact sheets 42 where the compact sheets
42 are attached together at a perforated edge 44. The perforated
edge 44 may be approximately 4-6 inches in width, thus the
dimensions of each compact sheet 42 may range from 4-6 inches in
width 44 and 4-6 inches in length 46.
[0024] A second pair of arms 14b, 16 secures the standard paper
towel roll 30. The standard paper towel roll 30 includes a
plurality of sheets 32 attached together at a perforated edge 34.
The perforated edge 34 of the standard paper towel roll 30 may be
11 inches in width. The sheets 32 may be 6 inches or 10.4 inches in
length 36 depending on the likes and preferences of the user for
their standard paper towel roll sheet size. FIG. 1(B) illustrates
the inner arm 16 extending from the backing 12. The inner arm 16
includes a protrusion 18 on each side of the inner arm 16 to secure
the paper towel rolls 30, 40.
[0025] An enlarged view of a pair of inner arms 16a, 16b is
illustrated in FIG. 1(A) extending from the backing 12. The pair of
inner arms 16a, 16b and the outer arms 14a, 14b each includes a
protrusion 18 which inserts into the paper towel rolls 30, 40 to
hold them within the dispenser 10. The pair of inner arms 16a, 16b
may be flexible to enable exchange between used and unused paper
towel rolls 30, 40. The backing 12 may be separable at a seam 11
which enables the dispenser 10 to be used as a single unit or as
two separate units, one for each size of paper towel roll 30,
40.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2 a perspective view of a compact
paper towel dispenser 100 is shown in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the present invention. The compact paper
towel dispenser 100 includes a housing 102 that attaches to the
counter 120 on a base 104. The housing 102 may be cylindrical or
cuboidal (as illustrated in FIG. 2(A)). The housing 102 includes a
removable cover 106 with a central opening 108. The removable cover
106 enables the user to open the housing 102 and insert or replace
the compact paper towel roll. The opening 108 provides easy access
to the compact sheets 42 as they are threaded through the cover
106. The compact paper towel dispenser 100 may attach to a counter
120. The compact paper towel dispenser 100 may attach to the
countertop or beneath the counter depending on how the user wishes
to use the dispenser 100. Alternatively, the base 104 may be
weighted to enable the housing 102 to simply rest upon the counter
120, and easily repositioned as desired by the user.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a compact
paper towel dispenser 140 is shown in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention. The compact paper towel
dispenser 140 includes a pair of upright arms 142 attached to a
base 144. The upright arms 142 are fastened to the opposing
peripheral portions of the base 144. The third embodiment of the
dispenser 140 resembles a napkin holder. Single compact sheets 42
are packed between the pair of arms 142.
[0028] The compact paper towel rolls provide a novel size roll that
is convenient when a large sheet roll is too big. The compact paper
towel roll is ideal for wiping small areas or surfaces especially
when a full sized sheet would create waste when only using a
portion of the sheet. With the various dispensers the compact paper
towels 40 are readily available wherever and whenever needed by the
user.
[0029] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in
order to best explain the principles of the invention and its
practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art
to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
* * * * *