MAGNETIC PAPER TOWEL HOLDER

Abstract

A magnetic paper towel holder includes a pair of plates, an inner plate and an outer plate. The outer plate includes a carrier for holding a roll of paper towels, such as an L-shaped rod or a pair of fenestrated blocks and a holding stick. Both the inner and outer plates can be magnetic plates to attract each other, or alternatively one plate is steel and the other magnetic to let the inner plate hold the outer plate repositionably or reversibly in place under a kitchen cabinet or on the side wall of a kitchen cabinet by magnetism without nails or screws or glue.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/904,219, filed Sep. 26, 2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and devices for holding paper towels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known devices for holding paper towels, typically dispensed on perforated rolls, include wall-mounted paper towel holders that are screwed or glued onto a kitchen cabinet or a wall underneath the cabinet. This mode of mounting requires the use of tools and fasteners that may not always be readily available, and can be time consuming and difficult for some users. Also, if the holder is to be moved, the previously utilized mounting holes will remain in the mounting surface.

Thus it can be seen that needs exist for an improved method and apparatus for holding and dispensing paper towels. It is to the provision of an improved paper towel holder and dispenser meeting this and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in example forms, provides a magnetic paper towel holder that does not need to be screwed or glued to a mounting surface, and that can be mounted reversibly (i.e., its positional orientation can be switched left to right or top to bottom without the removal of screws or other connectors) onto a kitchen cabinet, wall or other mounting surface, by attraction of magnetism.

In one aspect, the present invention includes either two magnetic plates or one magnetic plate and one steel plate. Wherein one plate, either a magnetic or steel plate, has an apparatus, such as a L-shaped rod, to hold a roll of paper towel

In another aspect, the invention is a magnetic paper towel holder including a magnetic inner plate, a magnetic outer plate and an apparatus for holding a paper towel roll to the outer plate, whereby the outer plate can be attached by magnetic attraction to an underside or outside of a kitchen cabinet without nails, screws or adhesive.

In still another aspect, the invention is a magnetic paper towel holder including a magnetic inner plate having a generally planar inner plate face with a first magnetic polarity. The holder also includes a magnetic outer plate having a generally planar outer plate face with a second magnetic polarity opposite the first magnetic polarity. The holder also includes a L-shaped rod extending from the magnetic outer plate opposite the generally planar outer plate face, for holding a paper towel roll. The magnetic inner and outer plates can be aligned with one another on opposite sides of an intermediate structure with the inner plate face toward the outer plate face, for securing the magnetic paper towel holder to the intermediate structure by magnetic attraction between the magnetic inner and outer plates

In another aspect, the invention is a method. The method includes installing a magnetic inner plate having a surface with a first magnetic polarity confronting a first side of the structure, installing a magnetic outer plate having a surface with a second and opposite magnetic polarity confronting a second side of the structure, and mounting the roll of paper towels onto an L-shaped rod extending from the magnetic outer plate opposite the surface with the second and opposite magnetic polarity.

And in another aspect, the invention is a paper towel holder including first and second plates that are sufficiently magnetically attracted to one another to engage a cabinet panel therebetween. The paper towel holder further includes at least one carrier for receiving a roll of paper towels, and at least one of the first and second plates repositionably secures the at least one carrier to the cabinet panel when assembled, without fasteners.

In another aspect, the invention is a method of mounting a roll of paper towels to a cabinet, the method comprising securing first and second plates on opposite sides of a cabinet panel and in magnetic engagement with one another, and providing at least one carrier for receiving a roll of paper towels.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective assembly view of a magnetic paper towel holder.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner steel plate or magnetic plate of the paper towel holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the outer steel plate or magnetic plate with L-shaped rod and a cap of the paper towel holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a magnetic paper towel holder mounted underneath a kitchen cabinet according to an example method of use of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a magnetic paper towel holder mounted onto the side wall of a kitchen cabinet according to another example method of use of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective assembly view of another example form of a magnetic paper towel holder and its parts, according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the magnetic paper towel holder of FIG. 6 installed under the bottom of a kitchen cabinet, according to another form of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a roll of paper towels installed on the magnetic paper towel holder of FIG. 6, in an example manner of use.

FIG. 9 is a perspective assembly view of another example form of a magnetic paper towel holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective assembly view of another example form of a magnetic paper towel holder according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views, numeral 10 of FIG. 1 is a magnetic paper towel holder. Number 11 of FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 is an inner plate that can be a magnetic plate or a steel plate. Number 12 of FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5 is an outer plate that can be a magnetic plate or a steel plate and is equipped with a L-shaped rod 13 to hold a roll of paper towel. Inner plate 11 and outer plate 12 can be either a magnetic plate or a steel plate but at least one of them should be a magnetic plate to attract the steel one when installed onto a mounting or support surface or object.

If both the inner plate 11 and the outer plate 12 are magnetic plates, their magnetic polarity should be arranged correctly to attract each other when installed. For example when the polarity of the surface 16 of the outer plate 12 is of positive (N) polarity, the surface 17 with the negative polarity (S) of inner plate 11 should be placed against the surface 16 of outer plate 12 to attract each other as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, and vice versa. Numeral 14 of FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5 is a cap that is screwed into the tip 15 of the L-shaped rod 13 to keep paper towel roll on L-shaped rod 13.

In an example manner of use, inner plate 11 is placed flat inside the cabinet 18 on the lowest shelf 19, while outer plate 12 is placed underneath the lowest shelf 19 of cabinet 18 just under and aligned with the inner plate 11, as shown for example in FIG. 4. Outer plate 12 is then held in place by magnetic attraction to inner plate 11. In an alternate method of use, inner plate 11 is placed flat inside the cabinet 20 on the side wall 21 while outer plate 12 is placed outside the cabinet 20 just outside inner plate 11 in FIG. 5. Outer plate 12 is then held in place by magnetic attraction to inner plate 11.

Numeral 22 of FIG. 6 is yet another alternative embodiment of a magnetically attached paper towel holder. The holder 22 is shown in assembly view in FIG. 6, with its components separated for clarity of understanding, partially installed onto a cabinet or support member in FIG. 7, and in fully assembled form with a roll of paper towels carried thereon in FIG. 8. Numeral 23 of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 is an inner plate. Numeral 24 of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 is an outer plate. Inner plate 23 and outer plate 24 can be either magnetic plates or steel plates but at least one of them should be magnetic one to attract other by magnetism. If both inner plate 23 and outer plate 24 are magnetic plates the magnetic polarity of them should be arranged properly to attract each other. Outer plate 24 has equipped with two fenestrated holder-blocks or flanges 25 having transverse openings or holes 26 therethrough, one block or flange arranged at each end of the outer plate 24 as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. Numeral 27 of FIGS. 6 and 7 is a holding-stick or carrier rod. Each fenestrated holder-block 25 has a central hole 26 to hold holding-stick 27 of FIGS. 6 and 7. Holding-stick 27 of FIGS. 6 and 7 has a fixed cap 28 at one end and a central screw hole 29 at the other.

The two fenestrated blocks are fixed by glue or attracted by magnetism to the outer plate, one at each end, with a distance between the blocks being slightly longer than the length of standard paper towel roll. Holding-stick 27 of FIGS. 6 and 7 inserts into one central hole 26 of one of the two holder-blocks 25 and comes out central hole 26 of the other holder-block 25. Element 30 of FIG. 6, 7 and 8 is a thumb screw or removable cap that screws into central screw hole 29 at one end of holding-stick 27 to keep it in place on fenestrated holder-block 25. Numeral 31 of FIG. 8 is a roll of paper towels, which is installed on magnetic paper towel holder 22. Numeral 32 of FIG. 8 is a kitchen cabinet or other mounting support. In this manner, paper towels 31 are installed on a magnetic paper towel holder 22 that is mounted underneath a kitchen cabinet 32.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a paper towel holder 38 according to the present invention. A magnetic top plate 41 is installed in magnetically attractive relation to a ferrous (non-magnetic, but magnetically-attracted) bottom plate 44, with a mounting surface or object clamped therebetween. The bottom plate 44 includes a towel bar or carrier 46 for receiving and dispensing a roll of paper towels. In embodiments having one magnetic plate (top or bottom), and the other plate non-magnetic, but magnetically-attracted, the plates can be installed with either side confronting the other without regard to magnetic polarity. An endcap 47 is preferably provided with threads 48 for attachment to the carrier rod 46 to retain a roll of paper towels thereon.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a paper towel holder 50. The holder includes an inner magnetic plate 51, an outer magnetic plate 52, and a paper towel holder clip 53 for engagement between the inner and outer plates. The holder clip 53 has flexing arms extending generally perpendicularly from a cross member, and two rounded prominences 56 and 57 at the free ends of the flexing arms to insert into the central canal of a roll of paper towel. The length of the outer magnetic plate is shorter than that of the cross member of the paper towel holder clip 53, so that it fits easily between the flexing arms upon installation. The polarity of the magnetism of inner magnetic plate 51 and that of the outer plate 52 should be properly arranged in order to attract each other. For example if the magnetic polarity of the under surface 55 of inner magnetic plate 51 is positive (N) then the magnetic polarity of the upper surface 58 of outer magnetic plate 52 should be negative (S), and vice versa. The paper towel holder clip 53 can be made of either flexible plastic or thin metal plate or thin aluminum plate.

The present invention includes both the paper towel holder apparatus and the methods of use described herein. In its various forms, the paper towel holder is magnetically attachable to a mounting or support member such as a cabinet or the like. In general, attachment of the holder does not require the use of screws or other fasteners, or glue or other adhesives. Thus, the holder can be temporarily or movably mounted to the support surface, and can be removed and/or repositioned without damaging the support surface. In an example manner of use, the position or orientation of the portion of the holder retaining a roll of paper towels can be reversed or altered as desired without disassembly. For example, after installation and use, the outer portion of the holder (the portion that retains the roll of paper towels) can be slidably repositioned, as by twisting or pivoting along the surface to which it is mounted, while remaining in magnetically attractive engagement with the inner portion, for access to remove and replace a spent roll of towels with a fresh roll. Thereafter, the holder can be returned to its original position.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A magnetic paper towel holder comprising:

a magnetic inner plate;

a steel outer plate; and

means for holding a paper towel roll secured to the outer plate whereby the outer plate can be repositionably attached by magnetic attraction to a cabinet without nails, screws or adhesive.

2. The magnetic paper towel holder of claim 1 wherein the means for holding a paper towel roll to the outer plate comprises an L-shaped rod and a cap to hold a paper towel roll.

3. A magnetic paper towel holder comprising:

a steel inner plate;

a magnetic outer plate; and

an apparatus for holding a paper towel roll to the outer plate whereby the outer plate can be repositioned without removal of fasteners.

4. The magnetic paper towel holder of claim 3 wherein the apparatus for holding a paper towel roll to the outer plate is an L-shaped rod and a cap to hold a paper towel roll.

5. A magnetic paper towel holder comprising:

a magnetic inner plate;

a magnetic outer plate; and

an apparatus for holding a paper towel roll to the outer plate whereby the outer plate can be held by magnetic attraction to a cabinet without fasteners.

6. The magnetic paper towel holder of claim 5 wherein the apparatus for holding a paper towel roll to the outer plate is an L-shaped rod and a cap to hold a paper towel roll.

7. The magnetic paper towel holder of claim 5 wherein the magnetic inner plate and the magnetic outer plate have opposite magnetic polarities arranged to confront and attract each other.

8. A paper towel holder comprising first and second plates that are sufficiently magnetically attracted to one another to engage a cabinet panel therebetween, said paper towel holder further comprising at least one carrier for receiving a roll of paper towels, and wherein at least one of the first and second plates repositionably secures the at least one carrier to the cabinet panel when assembled without fasteners.

9. The paper towel holder of claim 8, wherein the at least one carrier comprises a pair of flanges having transverse openings therethrough for receiving a carrier rod for placement through the core of the roll of paper towels.

10. The paper towel holder of claim 8, wherein the at least one carrier comprises a pair of flexing arms extending generally perpendicularly from a cross member.

11. The paper towel holder of claim 8, wherein the at least one carrier comprises an L-shaped carrier rod.

12. A method of mounting a roll of paper towels to a cabinet, said method comprising securing first and second plates on opposite sides of a cabinet panel and in magnetic engagement with one another, and providing at least one carrier for receiving a roll of paper towels.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising repositioning at least one of the first and second plates without removal of fasteners.