WET AND DRY TOILET ROLL DISPENSER

Abstract

A combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser includes a hollow housing having an outer wall with a circular cross section and an inner wall defining an inner longitudinal opening. First and second sidewalls are provided each having a body enclosing an end of the hollow housing. A first side arm is formed as an extension of the body of the first sidewall and a second side arm is formed as an extension of the body of the second sidewall wherein the first and second side arms protrude in parallel outwardly from each side wall on each side of the hollow housing to a terminal end. The terminal end of each side arm includes an opening which receives a support bar in between the first and second side arms.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a wet and dry toilet tissue roll dispenser. More specifically, this invention is directed to a dispenser for a roll of moist toilet tissue wipes that fits into an existing toilet paper holder to dispense both wet and dry rolls of toilet paper in one location with one dispenser.

Moist toilet tissue wipes are conditioned pieces of tissue or cloth moistened with water and includes gentle cleansing agents, antibacterial agents, softeners, lotions, and the like. These products are often referred to as baby wipes or wet wipes, and are commonly packaged in sealable plastic tubs that keep the cloths moist and allow for easy dispensing. Traditionally, baby wipes have been used to cleanse the skin of infants, and have become a standard part of baby changing kits. In recent years, because moistened toilet tissue and baby wipes are compact, disposable, and can be used virtually anywhere, their popularity and use has grown beyond uses associated with infants. Moistened toilet tissue and baby wipes have become indispensable in the everyday lives of many consumers for providing quick, easy, effective and convenient antibacterial cleansing in addition to avoiding contagious illnesses, particularly in connection with the use of toilet paper in private and public restrooms. Use of baby wipes after dry toilet paper is more sanitary and becoming a growing practice. However, because traditionally, moistened toilet paper, baby wipes and the like are provided in tubs or separate containers, such products are either unavailable or not conveniently and readily accessible to individuals using restrooms. Consequently, a need has arisen to address these deficiencies.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a combination moist and dry toilet paper dispenser from one location with one dispenser.

Another object of the present invention to provide an adaptable combination moist and dry toilet paper dispenser from a single housing that fits within a traditional toilet paper holder.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a combination moist and dry toilet paper dispenser that is inexpensive.

These and other objects, features or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser includes a hollow housing having an outer wall with a circular cross section and an inner wall defining an inner longitudinal opening. First and second sidewalls are provided each having a body enclosing an end of the hollow housing. A first side arm is formed as an extension of the body of the first sidewall and a second side arm is formed as an extension of the body of the second sidewall wherein the first and second side arms protrude in parallel outwardly from each side wall on each side of the hollow housing to a terminal end. The terminal end of each side arm includes an opening which receives a support bar in between the first and second side arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser; and

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, a combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser 10 includes a single dispenser body 12 which is the size and shape of a conventional roll of toilet paper and is adaptable to conventional toilet paper dispensers and houses and supports both moist toilet paper or conventional wet wipes/baby wipes and a roll of toilet paper. The dispenser body 12 includes a hollow housing 14 that preferably is cylindrical. The hollow housing 14 includes an outer wall 16 having a circular cross section and an inner wall 18 which is concentric with the outer wall 18 and defines an inner longitudinal opening 20 through the hollow housing 14 along the central radius of the housing 14 wherein in a preferred embodiment, the inner opening 20 has a radius larger than that of a conventional toilet paper rod or dowel such that the dispenser body 12 is able to be freely and pivotably suspended therefrom.

An access opening 22 is provided within the surface of the outer wall 16 of the housing 14 and in one embodiment includes a recess 24 formed in the opening's 22 lower edge. An arcuate flip lid 28 is pivotably attached to the housing 14 at an upper longitudinal end, and is provided to sealably and releasably cover the access opening 22. In one embodiment the flip lid 28 includes a tab 30 on a lower longitudinal edge aligned with the opening's recess 24. Alternatively, the flip lid 28 has a second flip lid with a slotted opening that provides access to the interior of the body 12.

The dispenser body 12 also includes first and second side walls 32, 34 each with an outer circular profile and an inner opening 36 for receiving a toilet paper rod or dowel 38. The opening 36 aligns with the outer wall 16 and the inner opening 20, respectively, to enclose the housing 14 at both ends. The first and second side walls 32, 34 include first and second side arms 42, 44 which are formed as extensions of the body of the first and second side walls 32, 34, respectively, to protrude in parallel spaced relation outwardly from the outer circular profile of each side wall 32, 34 and from each side of the hollow housing 14 perpendicular to the housing's inner wall 18 and central opening 20 to a terminal end 45. In a preferred embodiment, the lateral width of each side arm 42, 44 segment is larger than the diameter of the housing's inner wall 16 and openings 20 and 36 and the length at which each side arm 42, 44 extends from the outer wall 16 of the housing 14 is greater than the radial length of the hollow housing 14. Formed within the body and at the terminal ends 45 of each side arm 42, 44 is a dowel or toilet paper rod opening 46 sized to receive each end of a dowel or toilet paper rod 48 such that the dowel or toilet paper rod 48 is retained within both openings 46 to support a conventional roll of toilet paper 50 thereon between the first and second side arms 42, 44.

In one embodiment as best shown in FIG. 2 the side wall 34 and side arm 44 separate from the body 12 such that a wet wipe roll 52 can load into the side of the housing 14. The side wall 34 and side arm 44 fit into the opening of the housing 14 and with approximately one-fourth of a turn seals to fasten the side wall 34 to the housing 14. In this embodiment if the dispenser body 12 is the same width as the roll of toilet paper 50 the side arms 42 and 44 can sit low and outside of the sidewalls or may be curved.

In a preferred embodiment, the axial and radial width of the housing 14 corresponds to the axial and radial width of the conventional roll of toilet paper 50 such that the dispenser body 12 is supported by a first conventional dowel or toilet paper rod 38 and retained within the brackets or arms 40 of any conventional toilet paper holder. At the same time the housing 14 allows the conventional roll of toilet paper 50 to be supported by a second dowel or toilet paper rod 48 between the first and second side arms 42, 44 such that the conventional roll of toilet paper 50 is pivotably supported by and in parallel series with the dowel or toilet paper rod 38 within the bracket 40 of any conventional toilet paper holder.

In operation, a wet roll of conventional moistened toilet paper or baby/wet wipes is loaded within the dispenser body's 12 hollow housing 14. Next, the dowel or toilet paper rod 38 is inserted through the openings 36 of each side wall 32, 34 such that the toilet paper rod 38 is disposed freely within the inner opening 20 of the hollow housing's inner wall 18 and the ends of the dowel 38 protruding from the side wall openings 36 to permit the dispenser body 12 to be supported within the bracket 40 of any conventional toilet paper holder. The second dowel 48 is then disposed through a conventional roll of toilet paper 50 and each end of the second dowel 48 is placed within the openings 46 such that the dry roll of toilet paper 50 is supported between the first and second support arms 42, 44. With both the wet roll of toilet paper or baby wipes loaded into the hollow housing 14 and the dry roll of toilet paper 50 supported by the dispenser body 12, after using the dry roll of toilet paper 50, the user is able to access the wet roll of toilet paper or baby wipes sealably housed within the hollow housing 14 via the flip lid 38 and access opening 22.

Therefore, a combination moist and dry toilet paper dispenser 12 has been disclosed which is inexpensive, provides a single dispenser body which is the size and shape of a conventional roll of toilet paper, is adaptable to fit within any traditional toilet paper holder dispenser, and finally houses and supports both moist toilet paper or conventional wet wipes/baby wipes and a roll of toilet paper from one location with one dispenser. As a result at the very least all of the stated objectives have been met.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without the parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.

Claims

1. A combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser comprising:

a hollow housing between an outer wall and an inner wall wherein the inner wall includes an inner longitudinal opening;

first and second sidewalls each having a body enclosing an end of the hollow housing;

a first side arm formed as an extension of the body of the first sidewall and a second side arm formed as an extension of the body of the second sidewall wherein the first and second side arms protrude in parallel outwardly from each side wall on each side of the hollow housing to a terminal end;

wherein the first side arm and body of the first sidewall are formed as a single piece and the second side arm and body of the second sidewall are formed as a single piece; and

wherein the terminal end of each side arm includes an opening which receives a support bar in between the first and second side arms.

2. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser of claim 1 further comprising an access opening formed within the outer wall of the hollow housing.

3. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser of claim 2 further comprising a flip lid sealably and releasably covering the access opening on the outer wall of the a hollow housing.

4. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser of claim 3 further comprising a tab on a lower longitudinal edge of the flip lid.

5. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser of claim 1 wherein the hollow housing has the axial and radial width of a conventional roll of toilet paper such that the combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser fits within a bracket of a conventional toilet paper holder.

6. The combination wet and dry toilet paper dispenser of claim 1 wherein the hollow housing has a circular cross section.