Toilet tissue holder and dispenser
A toilet tissue holder and dispenser has an uncomplicated, space efficient, configuration that houses a plurality of toilet tissues, which are readily accessible by a user. A first portion of the dispenser has side walls with an elongated aperture and an interior compartment. A second portion of the dispenser is attached to the first portion. The dispenser has a dispenser portion, a plurality of dispenser rod portions, and a lid portion having a lip adapted for tearing toilet tissue as the toilet tissue exits the interior of the device. Large quantities of toilet tissue can be housed within the toilet tissue holder and dispenser, thereby resulting in less frequent re-stocking of the device. Tissue re-loading is achieved with minimal interruption of tissue delivery.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toilet tissue holder and dispenser; and more particularly, to a toilet tissue holder and dispenser for housing a plurality of toilet tissues to facilitate convenient dispensing of the toilet tissue therefrom.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Toilet tissue holders are conventionally utilized for housing spare toilet paper rolls in close proximity to toilets. With such tissue holders, a new toilet tissue roll is readily available for loading into a toilet paper roll dispenser when the roll being utilized becomes empty. Many of these conventional devices provide a structure that is placed near or attached to a wall or other structure within an arm's length of the toilet. They generally include a tower-like structure wherein spare toilet tissue rolls are stacked on top of one another in a vertical, end to end, arrangement.
These toilet roll holder devices do not provide dispensing capability; but merely afford proximate storage of spare toilet paper rolls near the commode, so that an individual can reach a new roll from the tissue holder structure and replace an empty roll on the wall dispenser. Typically, an individual must remove a toilet paper rod from a wall mount, remove the empty roll from the toilet paper rod, retrieve a spare roll from the storage structure, place the spare roll onto the toilet paper rod, and replace the toilet paper rod into the wall mount. This series of steps can become irritating and cumbersome when the individual is in immediate need of the toilet tissue.
Various toilet roll holder devices further provide the ability to dispense toilet tissue paper directly therefrom to an individual. However, the holder and toilet paper dispenser devices heretofore utilized fail to address the cumbersome changing of the empty roll to the new full toilet paper roll. These devices provide a single toilet paper rod, necessitating that the rod be reloaded between each new toilet paper roll. Typically, these holder and toilet paper dispenser devices provide a holder with a toilet paper rod that is integrated within the unit. When the roll on the rod is exhausted, the individual must re-load the toilet paper rod with a new roll. Like their toilet roll holder counterparts, these holder and toilet paper dispenser devices require the individual to perform the following series of steps: (i) to remove a toilet paper rod from the holder-dispenser unit; (ii) remove the empty roll from the toilet paper rod; (iii) retrieve a spare roll from the holder-dispenser unit; (iv) place the spare roll onto the toilet paper rod; and (v) replace the toilet paper rod into the holder-dispenser unit mount. As previously noted, this time-consuming series of steps can become irritating and cumbersome when the individual is in immediate need of the toilet tissue.
Numerous commercial toilet roll holder and dispenser devices have been utilized in public rest rooms. Generally, these devices house approximately four rolls of toilet paper and are arranged in a circular orientation so that each of the rolls is rotated when it is appointed to be utilized. Typically, rotation of each of the rolls into the accessible or useable position requires opening of the housing, generally with use of a key and manual manipulation thereof of the rolls. Opening of the container is required for appointing a new toilet paper roll for use, causing a cumbersome change-over to adjust the device from the empty roll to the new toilet paper roll.
Notwithstanding the efforts of prior art workers to construct toilet tissue holders for bathroom facilities there remains a need in the art for a toilet tissue holder that is non-complex and space efficient, and which houses a plurality of toilet tissues readily accessible by a user. In addition, there is a need in the art for a toilet tissue holder that includes a dispenser integrally built therein. Further, there is an art-recognized need for a toilet tissue holder wherein the dispenser is integrally built therein for readily re-location with minimal interruption in tissue delivery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a toilet tissue holder and dispenser that is non-complex and space efficient, and which houses a plurality of toilet tissues readily accessible by a user. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser affords convenient housing of spare toilet tissues by a dispenser integrally built therein, so that minimal effort is required for the user to access the spare toilet tissue. Sizeable quantities of toilet tissue can be housed within the toilet tissue holder and dispenser. Re-stocking of the device is less frequent, and re-loading is achieved with minimal interruption of tissue delivery.
In one embodiment the toilet tissue holder and dispenser comprises a first portion having an upper rim, a front wall, side walls, and a bottom wall arranged to form an interior compartment. The interior compartment is appointed to house a plurality of toilet tissue rolls. The first portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface. Each toilet tissue roll comprises a toilet tissue roll of the conventional type. Such toilet tissue roll includes an inner sleeve having toilet tissue wound therearound. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser further comprises a dispenser portion attached to at least one side wall of the first portion. A plurality of dispenser rod portions are provided; and each of these rod portions is adapted to receive and house one toilet tissue roll. The dispenser rod portion is adapted to be received by the dispenser portion when the toilet tissue roll is ready to be utilized.
Each of the side walls of the first portion of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser additionally comprises an elongated aperture. The elongated aperture vertically extends up to the upper rim of the first portion. It is adapted to receive left and right rod ends of the dispenser rod portion. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser further comprises a second portion having an attachment means adapted to connect the first portion thereto. A lid portion is removably received by the upper rim of the first portion and a top edge of the second portion. The lid portion and upper rim of the first portion are arranged to form a tissue slit adapted to receive toilet tissue from the toilet tissue roll being utilized. The lid portion comprises a lip appointed for tearing toilet tissue as the toilet tissue exits the interior compartment of the first portion.
In a second embodiment, the toilet tissue holder and dispenser comprises a container having a front wall, side walls, a bottom wall, a lid, and a back wall arranged to form an interior compartment appointed to house a plurality of toilet tissues. The toilet tissues are stacked and attached to one another in an accordion arrangement and each comprises perforated edges. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser includes a pair of knobs appointed to be received by a toilet paper holding structure having a pair of arms with an aperture therein. Each of the knobs is adapted to be received within the aperture of the arms of the toilet paper holding structure.
The side walls of the container of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser of the second embodiment comprise a plurality of side apertures adapted to receive knobs. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser includes a lip portion fixedly attached to the lid of the container. The lip portion is adapted to sever each of the toilet tissues from one another at the perforated edges. A narrow slit is located between the lid and one of the walls of the container. The narrow slit, which comprises a tension portion, is intimately associated with the lip.
The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention provides a toilet tissue holder and dispenser that is uncomplicated, having a minimal number of moving parts, and space efficient; and which houses a plurality of toilet tissues readily accessible by a user. The toilet tissue holder and dispenser affords convenient housing of spare toilet tissues with a dispenser integrally built therein, so that minimal effort is required by the user when accessing the spare toilet tissue. A large quantity of toilet tissue can be housed within the toilet tissue holder and dispenser. Re-stocking of the device is less frequent and re-loading is readily achieved with minimal interruption of tissue delivery.
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Optionally, the toilet tissue holder and dispenser is composed of a polymer material. As such, the polymeric material is preferably a lightweight material. First portion 11 of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 is adapted to house at least four toilet tissue rolls 20. It is provided with at least four dispenser rod portions 202. Preferably, first portion 11 of the toilet tissue holder and dispenser 10, 60 is adapted to house five toilet tissue rolls 20, and is appointed with five dispenser rod portions 202. As is illustrated in
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Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.
Claims
1. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser, comprising:
- a. a first portion having an upper rim, a front wall, side walls, and a bottom wall arranged to form an interior compartment having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said first portion being adapted to house a plurality of toilet tissue rolls, each of which has an inner sleeve with toilet tissue wound therearound;
- b. a dispenser portion attached to at least one of said side walls of said first portion;
- c. a plurality of dispenser rod portions, each being adapted to be received by said dispenser portion, and each of said dispenser rod portions being adapted to receive and house one of said toilet tissue rolls, and each of said dispenser rod portions comprising a shaft member and an inner rod member having left and right rod ends, said inner rod member having a greater length than said shaft member so that said left and right rod ends extend therefrom;
- d. each of said side walls of said first portion further comprising an elongated aperture vertically extending up to said upper rim of said first portion and being adapted to receive said left and right rod ends;
- e. a second portion having a top edge, lateral edges, and a base edge arranged to form an outer surface and an inner surface, said second portion further having attachment means adapted to attach said first portion to said second portion;
- f. a lid portion being removably received by said upper rim of said first portion and said top edge of said second portion, said lid portion and said upper rim of said first portion being arranged to form a tissue slit adapted to receive said toilet tissue; and
- g. said lid further comprising a lip appointed for tearing said toilet tissue as said toilet tissue exits said interior compartment of said first portion.
2. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said first portion and said second portion are fixedly attached by said attachment means to form a one-piece toilet tissue holder and dispenser.
3. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said first portion is composed of a polymer material.
4. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said first portion is adapted to house at least four toilet tissue rolls and wherein there are at least four dispenser rod portions.
5. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said dispenser portion comprises a pair of dispenser portions, each being fixedly attached to each of said side walls of said first portion.
6. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said dispenser portion comprises a pivot attachment, an arm, a spring member, and a stopping member, said stopping member being fixedly attached to said side wall of said first portion, said arm of said dispenser portion further comprising a notch adapted to receive said dispenser rod portion, said pivot attachment being adapted to attach said arm of said dispenser portion to said side wall of said first portion so that said arm of said dispenser portion vertically rotates at least 90° in the upward direction to change from a horizontal to a vertical configuration when an upward force is applied to said arm, and wherein said spring member causes said arm to spring back from said vertical configuration to said horizontal configuration when said upward force is released.
7. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 6, wherein said spring member comprises a horizontal limb, an adjacent limb, and a pivot center arranged to form an L-shape, said horizontal limb being interstitially housed within said arm member, said adjacent limb extending upward and abutting said stopping member, and said pivot center being intimately associated with said pivot attachment so that said L-shape of said spring member forms a U-shape when said arm of said dispenser portion is in said vertical configuration.
8. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said shaft member has a shaft length substantially equal to a typical length of said inner sleeve of said toilet tissue roll and wherein said shaft member has a shaft circumference substantially equal to but slightly less than a typical circumference for said inner sleeve of said toilet tissue roll.
9. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 8, wherein said shaft member further comprises at least two compressible shaft panels so that said shaft circumference can be compressed to facilitate loading and removal of said inner sleeve of said toilet tissue roll from said shaft member and to prevent said inner sleeve of said toilet tissue roll from slipping when said toilet tissue is being removed from said toilet tissue roll by a user.
10. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said left and right rod ends of said inner rod member further comprise convex ends appointed to receive a user's finger tips to provide enhanced grip capabilities.
11. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said left and right rod ends of said inner rod member further comprise a friction coating thereon for enhanced gripping capability when a user's finger tips contact said left and right rod ends.
12. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said side walls of said first portion have a distance apart that is substantially equal to but slightly greater than a typical length for said toilet tissue roll.
13. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said front wall, side walls, and a bottom wall of said first portion further comprise first inner support bars therein for said interior compartment.
14. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said second portion further comprises second inner support bars thereon for said inner surface of said second portion, and wherein said outer surface is smooth.
15. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said second portion further comprises mounting means appointed to attach said second portion onto a bathroom wall in close proximity to a toilet fixture.
16. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 15, wherein said mounting means of said second portion comprises flanges that extend from each of said lateral edges, said flanges having therein a plurality of apertures of varying height for receiving an attachment means to secure said second portion to said bathroom wall.
17. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said attachment means of said second portion comprises a perimeter lip and wherein said first portion comprises a perimeter groove, and wherein said perimeter lip is appointed to be received in said perimeter groove.
18. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said lid portion is hingedly attached to said second portion.
19. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said lid further comprises a handle portion.
20. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said lip of said lid has a width ranging from 0.64 cm (0.25 inches) to 12.7 cm (5 inches).
21. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 1, wherein said first and second portions are hingedly attached so that said first and second portions can open and close.
22. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser, comprising:
- a. a container having a front wall, side walls, a bottom wall, a lid, and a back wall arranged to form an interior compartment adapted to house a plurality of toilet tissues stacked and attached to one another in an accordion arrangement, said toilet tissues comprising perforated edges;
- b. a pair of knobs appointed to be received by a toilet paper holding structure having a pair of arms with an aperture therein, each of said knobs being adapted to be received within said aperture of said toilet paper holding structure;
- c. said side walls of said container further comprising a plurality of side apertures associated with each of said knobs;
- d. a lip portion fixedly attached to said lid of said container and being adapted to sever each of said toilet tissues from one another at said perforated edges; and
- e. a narrow slit located between said lid and one of said walls of said container and being intimately associated with said lip, said slit means further comprising a tension portion.
23. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 22, wherein said back wall of said container further comprises attachment means for attaching said back wall to a bathroom wall.
24. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 23, wherein said attachment means comprises at least one double faced adhesive tape portion.
25. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 22, wherein said container is composed of a cardboard material and wherein said container is disposable upon exhaustion of substantially all of said plurality of toilet tissues.
26. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 22, wherein said container is composed of a polymeric material.
27. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 26, wherein said lid is hingedly attached to said container.
28. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 26, wherein at least one of said side walls is hingedly attached to said back wall of said container.
29. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 26, wherein said container comprises a top section and a bottom section that are removably attached and facilitate loading of said container.
30. A toilet tissue holder and dispenser as recited by claim 22, wherein said tension portion of said slit means comprises spring back tension of said slit means.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 14, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 20, 2007
Inventor: Haion Won (Basking Ridge, NJ)
Application Number: 11/453,317
International Classification: B65H 19/00 (20060101);