U.S. patent application number 16/782392 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-06 for expandable toilet paper roll holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is Yoga N. Thati. Invention is credited to Yoga N. Thati.
Application Number | 20200245825 16/782392 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004641956 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-06 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200245825 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thati; Yoga N. |
August 6, 2020 |
Expandable Toilet Paper Roll Holder
Abstract
An expandable toilet paper roll holder. The device includes a
base unit having a bottom wall, a rear wall, a pair of sidewalls, a
front wall having a lower access opening, and an open upper end
defining an interior volume. Multiple tiers positioned above the
base unit are disposed in a telescopic arrangement, such that the
tiers are moveable between a collapsed configuration and an
expanded configuration. Each tier defines an interior channel
configured to enclose a toilet paper roll. A removably attached
handle includes a pair of prongs that extend into the interior
volume of the base unit through a pair of vertically spaced
apertures disposed on one sidewall of the base unit. Each prong
supports a hollow core of a toilet paper roll within the interior
volume of the base unit, such that a toilet paper roll is
accessible through the lower access opening of the front wall.
Inventors: |
Thati; Yoga N.; (Brentwood,
TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Thati; Yoga N. |
Brentwood |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004641956 |
Appl. No.: |
16/782392 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62801382 |
Feb 5, 2019 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/3253 20130101;
A47K 10/3809 20130101; A47K 10/40 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/40 20060101
A47K010/40; A47K 10/38 20060101 A47K010/38 |
Claims
1) A toilet paper roll holder, comprising: a base unit comprising a
bottom wall, a rear wall, a pair of sidewalls, a front wall having
a lower access opening, and an open upper end defining an interior
volume; a plurality of tiers, each tier comprising a plurality of
sidewalls, an open upper end, and an open lower end defining an
interior channel configured to enclose a toilet paper roll; wherein
the plurality of tiers is disposed in a telescopic arrangement,
such that the plurality of tiers is configured to be moveable
between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; a
removably attached handle comprising a pair of prongs that extend
into the interior volume of the base unit through a pair of
vertically spaced apertures disposed on one sidewall of the pair of
sidewalls of the base unit; wherein each prong is configured to
support a hollow cylindrical core of a toilet paper roll within the
interior volume of the base unit, such that a lowermost toilet
paper roll is accessible via the lower access opening of the front
wall.
2) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 1, further comprising an
interior lip disposed within the base unit that supports the
lowermost tier.
3) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 1, further comprising a
lid that is removably secured to the upper end of an uppermost tier
of the plurality of tiers.
4) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 4, wherein the lid is
removably secured to the upper end of the uppermost tier via a snap
lock connection.
5) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 4, wherein the lid further
comprises a handle.
6) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 1, wherein each tier of
the plurality of tiers includes an interference fit ring disposed
around a lower perimeter edge thereof.
7) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 1, wherein each tier of
the plurality of tiers includes a taper from a lower edge to an
upper edge, such that a diameter of the open lower end is greater
than a diameter of the open upper end.
8) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 8, wherein the taper
comprises an angle of one degree.
9) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 1, wherein each tier of
the plurality of tiers comprises a directional indicator configured
to indicate the proper orientation of each tier when disposed in a
telescopic configuration.
10) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 1, wherein each tier of
the plurality of tiers comprises an identifying indicator
configured to indicate the proper order of each tier when disposed
in a telescopic configuration.
11) A toilet paper roll holder, comprising: a base unit comprising
a bottom wall, a rear wall, a pair of sidewalls, a front wall
having a lower access opening, and an open upper end defining an
interior volume; a plurality of tiers, each tier comprising a
plurality of sidewalls, an open upper end, and an open lower end
defining an interior channel configured to enclose a toilet paper
roll; wherein the plurality of tiers is disposed in a telescopic
arrangement, such that the plurality of tiers is configured to be
moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded
configuration; a removably attached handle comprising a pair of
prongs that extend into the interior volume of the base unit
through a pair of vertically spaced apertures disposed on one
sidewall of the pair of sidewalls of the base unit; one or more
mounting apertures disposed on the base unit for securing the
toilet paper roll holder to a vertically oriented surface via one
or more fasteners; wherein each prong is configured to support a
hollow cylindrical core of a toilet paper roll within the interior
volume of the base unit, such that a lowermost toilet paper roll is
accessible via the lower access opening of the front wall.
12) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 11, further comprising an
interior lip disposed within the base unit that supports the
lowermost tier.
13) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 11, further comprising a
lid that is removably secured to the upper end of an uppermost tier
of the plurality of tiers.
14) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 13, wherein the lid is
removably secured to the upper end of the uppermost tier via a snap
lock connection.
15) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 13, wherein the lid
further comprises a handle.
16) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 11, wherein each tier of
the plurality of tiers includes an interference fit ring disposed
around a lower perimeter edge thereof.
17) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 11, wherein each tier of
the plurality of tiers includes a taper from the open lower end to
the open upper end, such that a diameter of the open lower end is
greater than a diameter of the open upper end.
18) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 17, wherein the taper
comprises an angle of one degree.
19) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 11, wherein each tier of
the plurality of tiers comprises a directional indicator configured
to indicate the proper orientation of each tier when disposed in a
telescopic configuration.
20) The toilet paper roll holder of claim 11, wherein each tier of
the plurality of tiers comprises an identifying indicator
configured to indicate the proper order of each tier when disposed
in a telescopic configuration.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/801,382 filed on Feb. 5, 2019. This application
relates to patentable improvements upon the devices disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 9,033,172. The above identified patent application
and patent are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety
to provide continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to toilet paper roll holders.
More particularly, the present invention provides an expandable
toilet paper roll holder that allows multiple toilet paper rolls to
be stacked atop a toilet paper roll dispenser for easily accessible
storage of additional toilet paper rolls.
[0003] Toilet paper is commonly sold in a rolled form, whereby a
length of perforated paper is rolled around a hollow cylindrical
core. The hollow core is typically supported on a horizontal rod,
such that the core can rotate around the rod as an individual
unrolls a length of the perforated paper. Eventually, when the
toilet paper sheet is consumed, the user must replace the empty
core with a new roll of toilet paper. The act of replacing
exhausted empty cores with new toilet paper rolls is a common chore
that involves locating a replacement toilet tissue roll, removing
and discarding the empty roll, and securing the replacement roll
onto the dispenser. It can be inconvenient and time consuming to
locate new rolls of toilet paper and replace the empty cores.
[0004] In households or other buildings with a large number of
occupants, it is important to have multiple rolls of toilet paper
on hand, since toilet paper rolls must be replaced more often.
Sometimes, extra toilet paper rolls are left out in container or
strewn about a bathroom or other area of the building. While they
may be accessible after searching for and retrieving the toilet
paper rolls, exposing the toilet paper rolls to open air for
extended periods may lead to contamination of the toilet paper
rolls. It is important for the rolls to be accessible but also for
them to be maintained in a sanitary environment prior to use.
Additionally, toilet paper is a fragile material that is prone to
unwanted ripping or tearing if treated roughly. If the toilet paper
rolls are not protected in an enclosed environment, they may become
damaged by other objects or other external factors when being moved
or stored. This renders the toilet paper unappealing and more
difficult to use properly.
[0005] In view of these concerns, it is desirable to provide a
toilet paper roll holder that stores the rolls in an easily
accessible and sanitary manner. It is also desirable to provide a
toilet paper roll holder that includes a horizontal supporting
member that supports a toilet paper roll core, such that the toilet
paper can be easily dispensed from the holder.
[0006] Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to
toilet paper roll holders. These include devices that have been
patented and disclosed in patent application publications. However,
the devices in the known art have drawbacks. Some devices include
expandable and collapsible holders for storing toilet paper rolls
in a stacked configuration. However, the devices in the known art
fail to provide users with a storage device that stores multiple
toilet paper rolls in a stacked configuration, which also includes
mechanism for supporting the toilet paper rolls on a horizontal
supporting member, such that toilet paper can be easily dispensed
and retrieved from the storage area when needed.
[0007] In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is
submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in
design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear
that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing
toilet paper roll holder devices. In this regard the present
invention substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of toilet paper roll holders now present in the prior art,
the present invention provides an expandable toilet paper roll
holder wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience
for the user when storing toilet paper rolls such that replacement
rolls are easily accessible and toilet paper can be dispensed and
retrieved with ease.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the expandable toilet paper roll
holder includes a base unit having a bottom wall, a rear wall, a
pair of sidewalls, a front wall having a lower access opening, and
an open upper end defining an interior volume. Multiple tiers
positioned above the base unit are disposed in a telescopic
arrangement, such that the tiers are moveable between a collapsed
configuration and an expanded configuration. Each tier includes a
plurality of sidewalls, an open upper end, and an open lower end
defining an interior channel configured to enclose a toilet paper
roll. A removably attached handle includes a pair of prongs that
extend into the interior volume of the base unit through a pair of
vertically spaced apertures disposed on one sidewall of the base
unit. Each prong supports a hollow core of a toilet paper roll
within the interior volume of the base unit, such that a toilet
paper roll is accessible through the lower access opening of the
front wall.
[0010] One object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved toilet paper roll storage device that includes all of the
advantages of the devices in the known art and none of the
disadvantages.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
toilet paper roll holder that includes a means to store replacement
toilet paper rolls in close proximity to a supporting member that
supports a roll of toilet paper for easy dispensing of the toilet
paper.
[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
toilet paper roll holder that includes mounting apertures for
securing the toilet paper roll holder to a vertically oriented
surface, such as a wall, for example.
[0013] 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 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] 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.
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of
the expandable toilet paper roll holder in an expanded
configuration.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the
expandable toilet paper roll holder in an expanded
configuration.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an individual tier of an
embodiment of the expandable toilet paper roll holder.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional front elevation view of an
embodiment of the expandable toilet paper roll holder in an
expanded configuration.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a front elevation view of an embodiment of the
expandable toilet paper roll holder in a collapsed
configuration.
[0020] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the
expandable toilet paper roll holder in a collapsed
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the expandable toilet paper roll holder. For
the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the
present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as
used for storing toilet paper rolls in a stacked configuration,
whereby the lowermost toilet paper roll is supported on a
horizontally oriented member for easy dispensing of the toilet
paper roll when it is needed. The figures are intended for
representative purposes only and should not be considered to be
limiting in any respect.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a front
perspective view of an embodiment of the expandable toilet paper
roll holder in an expanded configuration and a rear perspective
view of an embodiment of the expandable toilet paper roll holder in
an expanded configuration, respectively. The expandable toilet
paper roll holder 10 includes a base unit 11 that can be supported
on a horizontal support surface, such as the floor or a countertop,
for example. The base unit 11 includes a bottom wall, a pair of
sidewalls, and a front wall having a lower access opening 15 for
accessing a stored toilet paper roll 101. Multiple tiers 12 are
supported above the base unit 11 in a telescopic configuration.
This allows the tiers 12 to be movable between an expanded
configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a collapsed
configuration, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The tiers 12 maintain the
expanded configuration via interference fit or frictional
engagement with adjacent tiers 12, and maintain a nested
configuration when collapsed.
[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, each tier 12 includes a
directional indicium 17. The directional indicia indicate the
proper orientation for the tiers 12 during installation and setup
of the present invention. Each tier 12 may also include an
identifying indicium 19 that is configured to convey the proper
ordering the of the tiers 12. Since each tier 12 differs slightly
in size in order to maintain the telescopic configuration, it is
important to position the tiers 12 in the correct order to permit
for expansion or collapsing of the expandable toilet paper roll
holder 10 as needed.
[0024] The base unit 11 further includes a handle 16. In the
illustrated embodiment, the handle includes an elongated vertical
portion having a pair of prongs on opposing ends thereof. The
prongs extend perpendicularly inwardly from the elongated vertical
portion through vertically spaced apertures 18 disposed on one
sidewall of the base unit 11 (visible in FIG. 4). The lower prong
extends through the hollow core of the lowermost toilet paper roll
101, supporting the roll such that it can be easily unrolled and
dispensed through the base unit opening 15.
[0025] In the shown embodiment, the rear wall of the base unit 11
includes a pair of mounting apertures 20 that allow the expandable
toilet paper roll holder 10 to be secured to a desired mounting
surface. For example, the toilet paper roll holder 10 may be
secured to a wall or fixture near a toilet via fasteners such as
screws, nails, or any other suitable fastener. Additionally, in the
shown embodiment, the uppermost tier 12 includes a removably
secured lid 13. The lid 13 encloses the stored toilet paper rolls
from the external environment and can be easily removed to add
additional rolls when needed. The lid 13 may include a handle 14 to
assist with removing the lid 13 from the uppermost tier 12.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view
of an individual tier of an embodiment of the expandable toilet
paper roll holder. Each tier 12 includes a plurality of sidewalls
24, an open upper end, and an open lower end defining an interior
channel 25 configured to enclose a toilet paper roll. In order to
facilitate a telescopic configuration, each tier 12 includes a
taper from its lower edge 22 to its upper edge 23, such that a
diameter of the open lower end is greater than a diameter of the
open upper end. Each tier 12 differs slightly in size, which allows
an upper tier to receive a lower tier through its open lower end
while as inwardly angled sidewalls 24 contact the outer sidewalls
of the received tier 12. In one embodiment, the taper is defined by
a one degree vertical angle. This dimension allows for a snug fit
between the tiers 12 but still permits the tiers 12 to be slidably
adjusted as the device is moved between the collapsed and expanded
configurations. Further, in the shown embodiment, the lower edge 22
of each tier includes an interference fit ring 26 extending around
the perimeter of the tier 12. The ring 26 frictionally engages the
next upper tier 12 to support the toilet paper roller holder in the
expanded configuration.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a cross-sectional
front elevation view of an embodiment of the expandable toilet
paper roll holder in an expanded configuration. In the illustrated
embodiment, the lid 13 includes a perimeter flange 34 that engages
the sidewall 24 of the uppermost tier 44 via a snap fit connection.
This allows the lid 13 to be effectively secured to the uppermost
tier 44 while still allowing it to be easily removed when needed.
The tiers 12 can be expanded upwardly to enclose as many toilet
paper rolls 101 as there are tiers 12. In the shown embodiment, the
first or lowermost tier 12 is supported on an interior lip 45 that
is disposed within the interior volume of the base unit 12.
[0028] The handle 16 includes prongs 27 that extend through the
apertures 18 on the base unit 12. The lower prong 27 extends
through a hollow core 51 of the lowermost toilet paper roll 101.
This permits the toilet paper roll 101 to be freely rotatable about
the lower prong 27, such that the user can easily unroll and
dispense the supported toilet paper roll 101. Additionally, the
upper prong 27 extends through the hollow core 51 of a second
toilet paper roll 101 supported above the first toilet paper roll
101, such that two toilet paper rolls 101 are supported within the
interior volume of the base unit. The second prong 27 spaces the
second toilet paper roll 101 above the first toilet paper roll 101
so that it does not interfere with the unrolling and dispensing of
the first toilet paper roll 101. In this way, the second toilet
paper roll also provides a stable supporting surface for additional
stacked toilet paper rolls 101 that are stored within the tiers
12.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a front
elevation view of an embodiment of the expandable toilet paper roll
holder in a collapsed configuration and a side elevation view of an
embodiment of the expandable toilet paper roll holder in a
collapsed configuration, respectively. Depending upon the number of
toilet paper rolls 101 supported within the toilet paper roll
holder, the uppermost tier 44 can be collapsed downward toward the
base unit 11, such that each tier 12 is received by the next lower
tier 12, allowing the tiers 12 to maintained a nested, collapsed
configuration. The user may utilize the handle 14 that is affixed
to the lid 13 to facilitate movement of the tiers 12 between the
collapsed and expanded configuration. In the shown embodiment, the
base unit includes an external ring 28 that clearly delineates the
separation between the stacked toilet paper rolls 101. If the user
wishes to add additional toilet paper rolls 101, the user simply
removes expands the tiers 12 upwardly according to the number of
added rolls, accounting for the two toilet paper rolls 101 that are
supported within the interior volume of the base unit 11. The user
can then remove the lid 13 and insert the desired number of toilet
paper rolls for storage.
[0030] In order to replace the empty core of a spent toilet paper
roll, the user simply removes the handle 16 from the base unit 11.
As the handle prongs are removed, the next toilet paper roll in the
stack will fall down onto into the lower portion of the base unit
11, and the remaining toilet paper rolls follow. The user can then
reinsert the handle 16 such that the prongs engage the new
lowermost roll 101 and the next upper roll. In this way, a new roll
is automatically dispensed to an accessible position via gravity
simply by removing the handle 16 of the base unit 12. This allows
the user to quickly and easily replace a spent roll.
[0031] It is therefore submitted that 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.
[0032] 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.
* * * * *