ENCLOSURE FOR TOILET PAPER ROLL

Abstract

One embodiment includes a product comprising: a toilet paper roll housing comprising a first portion comprising a first partial cylinder portion, a first end wall, and a second end wall; a second portion comprising a second partial cylinder portion, a third end wall, and a fourth end wall, wherein at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall or the third end wall and the fourth end wall each comprise a receiving portion to receive the terminal end of a toilet paper rod supporting a toilet paper roll for rotational movement thereon; wherein the first portion is constructed and arranged to slide at least one of over or under the second portion in an open position to allow access to the toilet paper roll.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field to which the disclosure generally relates includes toilet paper roll accessories.

BACKGROUND

Children and pets have a tendency to pull toilet paper from the toilet paper roll in a bathroom. A device to prevent this would be very useful in the bathrooms of many households and places of business.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment includes a product comprising: a toilet paper roll housing comprising a first portion comprising a first partial cylinder portion, a first end wall, and a second end wall; a second portion comprising a second partial cylinder portion, a third end wall, and a fourth end wall, wherein at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall or the third end wall and the fourth end wall each comprise a receiving portion to receive the terminal end of a toilet paper rod supporting a toilet paper roll for rotational movement thereon; wherein the first portion is constructed and arranged to slide at least one of over or under the second portion in an open position to allow access to the toilet paper roll.

Other exemplary embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing exemplary embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a partial, sectional view of a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3C is a partial view of a first portion of a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3D is a partial, sectional view of a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a sectional view of a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5A is an end view a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B is an end view a toilet paper roll housing according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5C an end view a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of a reducer useful in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5E is a partial, sectional view of one embodiment of the invention using a reducer to reduce the diameter of the opening in the housing to receive a smaller toilet paper rod;

FIG. 6 illustrates a toilet paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial, sectional view illustrating latching feature according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an end view of a second portion of a toil paper roll housing according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an end view of first and second portions of a toilet paper roll housing illustrating a slideable track feature according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10A is a partial, side view illustrating a stop feature used to stop the slideable movement of a first portion of the housing over a second portion of the housing;

FIG. 10B is a partial, side view illustrating a stop feature used to stop the slideable movement of a first portion of the housing in side of a second portion of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment includes a toilet paper housing 10 including a first portion 12 and a second portion 14. The first portion 12 includes a first partial cylinder portion 16, a first end wall 18, and a second end wall 20. The second portion 14 includes a second partial cylinder portion 22, a third end wall 24, and a fourth end wall 26. In one embodiment, the toilet paper housing 10 includes a fastener 28 for releasably attaching the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 to each other to include a toilet paper roll 13 (shown in phantom) between the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 and to prevent access to the toilet paper roll 13 in a closed position.

In one embodiment, the fastener 28 may include a first fastener element 30 formed in the first portion 12 and a second fastener element 32 formed in the second portion 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in one embodiment of the invention the first fastener element 30 may be a latch paw and the second fastener 32 may be a stub or projection extending from an outer surface of the second partial cylinder portion 22. Together, the first fastener element 30 and the second fastener element 32 allow the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 to completely close together at an intersection 34 in a closed position. In this closed position, children and pet animals may be hindered from gaining access to the toilet paper roll 13. Yet older children and adults may be able to unfasten the fastener 28 to gain access to the toilet paper roll 13 and to insert a new toilet paper roll 13 into the toilet paper housing 10.

The first portion 12 may be constructed and arranged to slide over the second portion 14 or under the second portion 14 to permit access to the toilet paper roll 13 when the toilet paper housing 10 is in an open position. Referring to FIG. 2, the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 are shown in an open position. In this embodiment, the first portion 12 is constructed and arranged to slide under the second portion 14 to allow access to the toilet paper roll 13.

In one embodiment, the second portion 14 includes a receiving portion 36 to receive a terminal end 38 of a toilet paper rod 40 supporting a toilet paper roll 13 for rotational movement thereon. In one embodiment of the invention, the receiving portion 36 is provided by the second wall 24 which may include a through hole 44 formed therein. The toilet paper roll 13 may or may not include a tube made of cardboard or other material in the center of the roll. Referring to FIG. 3A, in one embodiment, the receiving portion 36 may include an opening 44. In one embodiment, the toilet paper rod 40 may be a spring loaded rod. The toilet paper rod 40 may extend through the opening 44 to make contact with an attachment device 46 (shown in phantom lines) which attaches to a wall to hold the toilet paper housing 10 in place, for example next to a toilet. The attachment device 46 may be any suitable device for attaching the toilet paper housing 10 to the wall, for example any of the attachment devices known in the art and commonly used in bathrooms. FIG. 3B shows a sectional view of the toilet paper housing 10 with the opening 44 and the rod 40 extending through the opening 44 to contact the attachment device 46. As shown in FIG. 3C, the first partial cylindrical portion 12 may include a projection 100 and a through hole 102 formed therein to receive a portion of the rod 40. As shown in FIG. 3D, optionally the projection 100 may include a nipple 104 that may be press fit into the opening 44 of the second partial cylindrical portion 14.

Referring to FIG. 4A, in another embodiment, the receiving portion 36 may include a recess 38 formed, for example, in the third wall 24. In one embodiment, the toilet paper rod 40 may extend into the recess 48 and held in place so that the toilet paper roll 42 will be supported for the rotational movement of the toilet paper roll 42 when the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 are in the open position. As shown in FIG. 4A, in one embodiment including the recess 48, the toilet paper housing 10 may be supported on a toilet paper stand 50. The toilet paper stand 50 may be attached to the second portion 14. The toilet paper stand 50 may be freestanding or it may be attached to the floor of a bathroom, for example. In this embodiment, the attachment device 46 is not needed for the toilet paper housing 10 to function properly. The toilet paper stand 50 allows the user to access the toilet paper roll 13 when the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 are in the open position. FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the toilet paper housing 10 of FIG. 4A showing the recess 48 and the toilet paper rod 40.

A toilet paper roll 13 may include a tube (not shown) made of cardboard or other material in the center of the roll, wherein the inner diameter of the tube may vary. Likewise, the outer diameter of a toilet paper rod 40 may vary.

The toilet paper roll may be received on a rod 40 that may vary in diameter as well. Referring to FIG. 5A, in one embodiment the toilet paper housing 10 may include a perforated edge 52 around the outside of the opening 44 for the toilet paper rod 40. In this embodiment, the opening 44 may be permanently enlarged to receive the terminal end 38 of a toilet paper rod 40 with a larger diameter. The opening 44 may be enlarged by punching out the perforated section bounded by the perforated edge 52.

Referring to FIG. 5B, in another embodiment the toilet paper roll housing 10 may include a plurality of flexible tabs surrounding the opening 44. In this embodiment, the opening 44 may be temporarily enlarged to receive the terminal end 38 of the toilet paper rod 40 with a larger diameter. The flexible tabs 54 may be temporarily bent in order to enlarge the opening 44 to receive a larger diameter rod 40. However, this enlargement is reversible if subsequently a toilet paper rod 40 with a smaller diameter is desired. The flexible tabs 54 may return to their original position due to the elastic memory of the material or the tabs may be pushed back to their original position so that the opening 44 is smaller.

Referring to FIG. 5C, another embodiment may include a hinged portion 46 with a hinge 47 around the opening 44. The hinged portion 46 may be swung open in order to enlarge the opening 44 to receive the terminal end 38 of the toilet paper rod 40 with a larger diameter. The hinged portion 46 could also be reversed to accommodate a smaller diameter. Referring to FIG. 5D, one embodiment of the invention may include other means of the larger or shrinking the opening 44, for example but not limited to, a washer 110 which may include a flange and a nipple 114 extending therefrom including a through hole 116 formed there through. The nipple 114 may be press fit into the third wall 24 to reduce the size of the opening 44 as shown in FIG. 5E. Optionally the nipple 114 may also extend through the opening 108 in the first wall 18.

Referring again to FIG. 5B, in one embodiment, the first portion 12 may be smaller than the second portion 14. The height, H1, of the first end wall 18 and the second end wall 20 of the first portion 12 may be smaller than the height, H2, of the third end wall 24 and the forth end wall 26 of the second portion 14. In one embodiment, the first portion 12 is heavier than the second portion 14. In one embodiment, the relative height and weight of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 are such that when a user opens and closes the toilet paper housing 10, the toilet paper housing 10 remains relatively stable.

In one embodiment, the height H1 of each of the first end wall 18 and the second end wall 20 of the first portion 12 may be about 1 to about 2 inches. The height H2 of each of the third end wall 24 and the fourth end wall 26 of the second portion 14 may be about 3 to about 4 inches. In other embodiments, the height H1 may be about 2 to about 3, and the height H2 may be about 3½ to about 4¾.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the fastener 28 may include any type of suitable fastener. The fastener 28 may be, but is not limited to, for example, a snap lock, VELCRO® (hook and loop fastener means), a magnet, a latch, a hook, or pressure lock. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first portion 12 or the second portion 14 may be composed of plastic, wood, metal, metal alloy, ceramic, mesh, or fiberglass.

In one embodiment, the toilet paper housing 10 may include cut-out shapes 56 in at least a portion of the toilet paper housing 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first end portion 18 and the third end portion 24 may include the cut-out shapes 56. In one embodiment, the cut-out shapes 56 may extend all the way through the toilet paper housing 10 such that the toilet paper roll 18 may be seen from the outside. In another embodiment, the cut-out shapes 56 may be constructed of a different material and/or be of a different color than the surrounding portion of the toilet paper housing 10.

Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the toilet paper housing 10 may include a transparent cover 58 positioned over at least a portion of the first portion 12 or the second portion 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the transparent cover 58 may be positioned over the entirety of the first partial cylinder portion 16 and the second partial cylinder portion 22 to define a slot 120 therebetween. A decorative sheet may be received through an open end of the slot 120 and under the transparent cover 58. For example, the decorative sheet may include paper, cloth, a wallpaper, a portion of wallpaper, or any other decorative material. In this way, the toilet paper housing 10 may be coordinated with any bathroom. The user may also periodically change the decorative sheet under the transparent cover 58 in order to change the decorative look of the toilet paper housing 10.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in one embodiment of the invention the first partial cylindrical portion 12 may include a projection 130 or tongue that is slideably received in a track 132 or groove provided in the second partial cylindrical portion 14. In this embodiment of the invention the projection 100 and through hole 102 shown in FIG. 3C is not needed. In one embodiment of the invention includes a tongue 130 and groove 132 means constructed and arranged so that the first partial cylindrical portion 12 may be slideably moved with respect to the second partial cylindrical portion 14, and wherein one of the tongue 130 or groove 132 is provide in the first partial cylindrical portion 12, and the other of the tongue 130 and groove 132 is provide in one of the second partial cylindrical portion 14, the third end wall 24 or the fourth end wall 26.

As shown in FIG. 10A a stop 134 may be provided on an outer face 23 of the second partial cylindrical portion 14 to stop the slideable movement of the first partial cylindrical portion 12 over the second partial cylindrical portion 14. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10B, a stop 134 may be provided on an inner face 21 of the second partial cylindrical portion 14 to stop the slideable movement of the first partial cylindrical portion 12 in side the second partial cylindrical portion 14.

The above description of embodiments of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A product comprising:

a toilet paper roll housing comprising a first portion comprising a first partial cylinder portion, a first end wall, and a second end wall;

a second portion comprising a second partial cylinder portion, a third end wall, and a fourth end wall, wherein at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall or the third end wall and the fourth end wall each comprise a receiving portion to receive the terminal end of a toilet paper rod supporting a toilet paper roll for rotational movement thereon; and

wherein the first portion is constructed and arranged to slide at least one of over or under the second portion to an open position to allow access to the toilet paper roll.

2. A product as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a fastener for releasably attaching the first portion and the second portion to each other to enclose the toilet paper roll and prevent access thereto, wherein the fastener comprises a first fastener element formed in the first portion and a second fastener element formed in the second portion.

3. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiving portion comprises an opening through one of the end walls.

4. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiving portion comprises a recess formed in one of the end walls.

5. A product as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a plurality of flexible tabs surrounding the opening for the toilet paper rod such that the opening may be temporarily enlarged to receive a terminal end of a toilet paper rod with a larger diameter.

6. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a perforated edge formed in the wall having the opening such that the opening may be permanently enlarged by removing a portion of the wall to receive a terminal end of a toilet paper rod with a larger diameter.

7. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a hinged portion formed in the wall with the opening such that the opening may be temporarily enlarged to receive a terminal end of a toilet a paper rod with a larger diameter.

8. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a reducer in the opening for the toilet paper roll.

9. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second portion is larger than the first portion.

10. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second portion is heavier than the first portion.

11. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the height of each of the first end wall and the second end wall is about 1 to about 2 inches.

12. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the height of each of the third end wall and the fourth end wall is about 3 to about 4 inches.

13. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 2 wherein the fastener comprises one of a snap lock, hook and loop fastener means, a latch, a hook, a magnet, or pressure lock.

14. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first portion or the second portion comprises plastic, wood, metal, metal alloy, ceramic, mesh, or fiberglass.

15. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the toilet paper housing has cutout shapes formed therein.

16. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a transparent cover over at least a portion of one of the first portion or the second portion and constructed and arranged to define a slot therebetween, wherein a decorative sheet may be positioned in the slot and under the transparent cover.

17. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the toilet paper rod is spring-loaded.

18. A toilet paper housing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first portion and the second portion are not constructed and arranged to be directly attached to a wall.

19. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein each end wall includes an opening.

20. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first partial cylindrical portion includes a projection and a through hole formed therethrough to receive a portion of the rod.

22. A product as set forth in claim 20 wherein the projection includes a nipple portion constructed and arranged to be press fit into the opening.

23. A product as set forth in claim 8 therein the reducer comprises a flange and a nipple extending therefrom and a through hole formed through the nipple.

24. A product as set forth in claim 1 a further comprising a tongue and groove constructed and arranged so that the first partial cylindrical portion may be slideably moved with respect to the second partial cylindrical portion, and wherein one of the tongue or groove is provide in the first partial cylindrical portion, and the other of the tongue and groove is provide in one of the second partial cylindrical portion, the third end wall or the fourth end wall.

25. A product as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a stop on one of an outer face of the second partial cylindrical portion to stop the slideable movement of the first partial cylindrical portion over the second partial cylindrical portion or on an inner face of the second partial cylindrical portion to stop the slideable movement of the first partial cylindrical portion in side the second partial cylindrical portion.