Internal Toilet Paper Dispenser and Storage Unit

Abstract

A simple, inexpensive, durable dispenser and storage for toilet paper rolls that mount vertically to the interior space of a wall or cabinet. The rolls are stored in a horizontal position stacked one on top of the other. The upper opening allows rolls to be inserted in storage and also houses the toilet paper dispenser. The lower opening displays the storage's next available roll, readily accessible for user to replenish the exhausted roll on dispenser.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Standard dispensers hold only one toilet paper roll at a time. Multiple roll dispensers are available but are costly, bulky and are prone to mechanical wear and tear, i.e. U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,133 to Teague issued Jan. 28, 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,335 to Leburn issued Feb. 9, 1999. Then again, U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,866 to Watters issued in Jan. 3, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,611 to Walton issued in Mar. 20, 1993 relies on a wall of the cabinet basin to be nearby, and may even require a door to be opened for roll access. U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,958 issued to Poole in Dec. 11, 1979 is a pedestal, which can be tipped over and requires too many steps to replenish exhausted roll, thus users require prior knowledge of usage. The U.S. patent to Paul et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,679 offers a good idea but limits user the access inside the holder. This causes reaching for toilet paper a hassle when the sheet is torn in the container or when cleaning needs to be done.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Most homeowners encounter the unpleasant situation when the toilet paper in the dispenser is exhausted. It is more likely to happen when a large number of guests gather at a home for a special event. Storage of spare toilet paper rolls are neither visible nor within reaching distance. Guests who are in such uncomfortable scenarios open the hostess's personal cabinets. The primary goal is the prevention of embarrassing and unpleasant moments for the convenience of both the host and the hostess. Previous inventors have come up with devices to accommodate this issue. Their products are bulky, complex, problematical and confusing with the operations that at times require users to learn how to use the device. The purpose of this invention is to provide a simple manual dispenser that is basic and simple enough for just about anybody to use. Its manual functions prevent any mechanism malfunctions and provide a long lifespan.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The objective of this invention is a simple, inexpensive, durable toilet paper roll storage and dispenser that just about everyone can operate, saves space, and has good esthetics with an extremely long life span due to its non mechanical parts. It is free from mechanical maintenance and service and easy access for cleaning. It has a capacity of up to 5 rolls and requires no search for spare rolls by new users or the need to learn the “how to” because of its basic function.

The present toilet paper roll storage and dispenser is designed to fit in just about any nearby wall, and not restricted to cabinet only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toilet paper roll holder and storage.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the toilet paper roll holder and storage mounted in a wall.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, with components apart to reveal more detail.

FIG. 4 is a view that shows a bigger dimension of a flange.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a toilet paper roll dispenser and storage 10 that mounts to the interior of a bathroom wall or cabinet. FIG. 1 shows the container 10 comprising an inlet opening 11 in the faceplate 14 that houses the dispenser and covers the inlet opening where rolls are inserted to the storage container 26. The toilet paper roll 17 in dispenser 11 works with the standard toilet paper spool 13. Once the spool is inserted in the toilet paper roll core, it is horizontally placed and released in the two rails 12 that are in the inner walls of the inlet window 11. The rails 12 and gravity will immediately guide the roll to its dispensing mode in the dispenser. The toilet paper roll 17 is removed by grasping it with one hand and giving it a back and upward motion guided by the rails. Once removed, the storage container 26 can be loaded with toilet paper rolls.

The faceplate 14 of the container 26 has an outlet window where the toilet paper rolls are easily visible and withdrawn from the storage container. When a toilet paper roll is withdrawn from the outlet window, the next roll in line will drop in its place by force of gravity. A stopper 18 holds the roll from falling out of the outlet window. The outlet window is partially covered by the next available roll to be used.

The dimensions to the container 26 are made to fit in the interior part of standard bathroom wall or cabinet to save space and improve esthetics, and protect container from physical abuse. One hole is made in the wall the size of the container 26 in install. There is an adjustable flange 24 at the top 23 and bottom 20 of the container 26 that tightens with the flange's attached bolt 25 to secure the container in place. When the container 26 is being mounted to the wall 27, flanges 24 are laid down to allow the container to fit through the hole. Once container is snuggly fitted (FIG. 2) the flanges are raised and tighten with the flange's attached screws 25 according the width of the drywall or wood 27 of the wall. These flanges rather than other means of fastening are designed to protect the weak walls made of drywall.

The faceplate 14 and the container 26 are attached together using four fasteners 27, strategically placed below the inlet window 11 and below the outlet window 16. The faceplate's top rim 21 also rests on the top front edge of the container for additional support.

Alternatively, rather than a flange holding the faceplate in place. The installer will be given the option to fasten the container in place by drilling screws in the wall through the holes 28 provide in each corner of the container. These four screws drilled are recommended only if the wall material is wood rather than drywall. Drywall would be too fragile and could break.

Claims

1. A user friendly manual toilet paper roll dispenser with internal housing for additional rolls that installs in the inner part of sink cabinet or bathroom wall comprising of:

Housing for multiple spare rolls easily visible and accessible for user to manually replace when active roll is exhausted in dispenser.

2. An inlet opening with a dual purpose that functions as a dispenser and is also used to manually replenish the storage container.

3. The active toilet paper roll is removed in a back-and-upward motion to clear the inlet opening in order to replenish the storage container.

4. A gravity-dispensing outlet displays the next available roll in the storage container. The outlet opening is partially covered by the next inactive roll in line, waiting to be picked up. The roll is held by a stopper at housing base to prevent rolls from falling out.

5. Removal of the exhausted roll on the dispenser is done by using the back-and-upward motion of the used roll.

6. Both inlet and outlet windows are located at face of the dispenser and storage unit for user to easily identify the replenishing process, thus making it user friendly and simple.

7. Size of product is made to fit in cavity of standard walls made of drywall or in sink cabinets to save space and improve esthetics.

8. The product is held in place by an adjustable flange that is held in place by bolt and nut once inside the cavity of the cabinet or bathroom wall. The adjustable flange is also used to prevent fragile drywall from breaking.