BATHROOM TISSUE DISPENSER

Abstract

A bathroom tissue dispenser for dispensing wet and dry tissues may be designed to fit a standard sized bathroom tissue roll holder. The dispenser includes a housing, which is substantially cylindrical in shape, and includes an area for the wet tissues. The housing may couple to an end cap on one side, and a spring cap on the other side. A spring is placed under pressure between the housing and spring cap. Nubs on the end cap and spring cap may then engage a standard toiletpaper holder. The end cap may be substantially disk shaped and may include a re-sealable port on the outside edge of the disk shaped end cap. The wet tissues may extend from the housing, through the end cap and out the port. Additionally, a weight may be present in the bottom of the end cap, thereby ensuring the port is horizontally oriented and easily accessed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/528,101 filed on Aug. 26, 2011, entitled “Improved Bathroom Tissue Dispenser”, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to bathroom tissue. Bathroom tissue is a modern necessity, which plays a crucial role in personal comfort and hygiene. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved bathroom tissue dispenser capable of dispensing both “wet” and dry towelettes for improved comfort and cleaning, thereby improving hygiene and sanitation. Such an improved bathroom tissue may also be of particular use for infant care purposes. Additionally, the improved bathroom tissue may also be helpful for use with recovering medical patients that are sore, or otherwise sensitive to cleaning.

Bathroom tissue, which differs in composition from facial tissue, is designed to deteriorate when wet in order to keep drain pipes clear. Some types of bathroom tissue are designed to decompose in septic tanks, which some other bathroom and facial tissues do not. Most septic tank manufacturers advise against using paper products that are non-septic tank safe. Different names are used for bathroom tissue in countries around the world, including “loo roll/paper”, “toilet roll”, “dunny roll/paper”, “bog roll”, “TP,” or “bathroom/toilet paper”.

Although paper had been known as a wrapping and padding material in China since the 2nd century BC, the first use of toilet paper in human history dates back to the 6th century AD, in early medieval China. However, it was not until 1857 that New Yorker Joseph C. Gayetty produced the first packaged bathroom tissue in the United States. The Scott Paper Company was the first company to manufacture tissue on a roll, specifically for the use of bathroom tissue.

Prior to the invent of bathroom tissue, people utilized an array of alternative materials for cleaning, including newsprint, paper catalogue pages, corn cobs, shells, sand, hayballs, grass, gompf stick, a sponge soaked in salt water, lace and hemp. Additionally, defecating in the river was very common. Each of these foregoing methods of cleaning oneself is considered unsanitary and unsavory when viewed through a modern lens.

Unfortunately, the modern use of traditional bathroom tissue is less hygienic than most people would presume. Typically washing with soap and water is required to eliminate bacteria and possible parasites. Due to time constraints, and the lack of appropriate facilities when traveling, it is often impracticable to wash entirely after utilizing the facilities. As such, a preferred system of bathroom tissue that is more hygienic, while retaining comfort, is desired.

It is therefore apparent that an urgent need exists for an improved device capable of providing for personal cleansing. The envisioned device includes wet and dry towelette dispensing capability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the present invention, an improved bathroom tissue dispenser is disclosed. Such a bathroom tissue dispenser may be useful in association with a standard sized bathroom tissue roll holder. The bathroom tissue dispenser may be capable of dispensing dry tissue, as current bathroom tissue dispensers are capable of; however, unlike traditional bathroom tissue dispensers, the disclosed improved dispenser is also capable of dispensing wet tissues in a convenient manner. Wet tissues increase hygiene and can include medications, pain relievers, and lotions for health and therapeutic purposes.

The bathroom tissue dispenser includes housing, which is substantially cylindrical in shape. The housing may include an area for the wet tissues. The housing may couple to an end cap on one side, and a spring cap on the other side. A spring is placed under pressure between the housing and spring cap. The spring cap and housing may be configured to fit into the cardboard core of a standard toilet paper roll. The end cap then rests against the flat end of the standard dry toilet paper roll. Nubs on the end cap and spring cap may then engage a standard toilet paper holder.

The end cap may be substantially disk shaped and may include a resealable port on the outside edge of the disk shaped end cap. The wet tissues may extend from the housing, through the end cap and out the port. Additionally, a weight may be present in the bottom of the end cap. This weight ensures that the toilet paper dispenser is always oriented such that the port is horizontal, when the dispenser is mounted on a standard toilet paper holder. Maintaining the port in a horizontal position enables easy accessed by anyone wanting to use the wet tissues. The weight is required to be massive enough to overcome friction forces caused by the spring in order to orient the port horizontally.

In many embodiments, the housing and end cap are substantially impermeable to moisture. In some embodiments, the housing and end cap are manufactured from a plastic. In alternate embodiments, the housing and end cap are made of disposable materials. Further, in some embodiments, the end cap is configured to be opened to facilitate loading the housing with wet tissues.

In some embodiments, the wet tissues are pre-moistened with a saline solution, or may include any of lotions, medications, perfume, vitamins and coloring. The wet tissues may be in a wet tissue roll, which is perforated, and capable of rotating independently within the housing. Alternatively, the wet tissues may be individual sheets which are folded within the housing in such a way as to dispense a second wet tissue when a first wet tissue is removed through the port.

Note that the various features of the present invention described above may be practiced alone or in combination. These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention may be more clearly ascertained, one or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective illustration of an improved bathroom tissue in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 1B shows a cut-away illustration of an improved bathroom tissue in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of a core of the improved bathroom tissue of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B shows a perspective illustration of a second embodiment of a core of the improved bathroom tissue of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2C shows a perspective illustration of a third embodiment of a core of the improved bathroom tissue of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2D shows a perspective illustration of a fourth embodiment of a core of the improved bathroom tissue of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3A shows a detailed illustration of a first embodiment of a core of the improved bathroom tissue of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B shows a detailed illustration of a second embodiment of a core of the improved bathroom tissue of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 shows an illustration of a vertically dispensing improved bathroom tissue with holder in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5A shows a first illustration of a side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5B shows a see-through illustration of the side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a cutaway illustration of the side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a second illustration of the side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view illustration of the side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIGS. 9A to 9C show side illustrations of the side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to several embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. The features and advantages of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and discussions that follow.

As previously mentioned, bathroom tissue is a modern necessity, which plays a crucial role in personal comfort and hygiene. The present invention relates to an improved bathroom tissue capable of dispensing both “wet” and dry tissue towelettes for improved comfort and cleaning, thereby improving hygiene and sanitation.

• I. SIDE APERTURE

To facilitate discussion, FIG. 1A shows a perspective illustration of an Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100. The Dry Tissues 102 may be seen as surrounding the Tissue Roll Core 112. This bath tissue may be generated from cellulose products, however additional materials such as cotton, hemp and polymers may be included as is desired for absorption and texture. Typically, such tissue may include a pulp material, as well as a binding agent, as is well known by those skilled in the art. Moreover, this “dry” tissue may include lotions, coloring, perfumes and medications, as is well known by those skilled in the art. Additionally, such dry tissue may include any number of ply, typically ranging from single to three or more ply. The dry tissue may be perforated in “sheets” as to be easily torn at a desired length as it is unwound from the roll.

The Dry Tissues 102 may have the same dimensions of a standard roll of bathroom tissue. A Central Void 114 may pass through the Tissue Roll Core 112 along a Rotational Axis 116, thereby causing the Tissue Roll Core 112 to be annulated when viewed from its end. A rod from a standard bathroom tissue dispenser may pass through the Central Void 114 along the Rotational Axis 116 for mounting the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100 in any location where standard bathroom tissue is used.

An important element of some embodiments of the invention is the appearance similar to standard bathroom tissue rolls, as well as the ability to readily fit into standard bathroom tissue dispensers. These features enable the improved bathroom tissue to be readily incorporated in any home, business or public restroom without cost prohibitive upgrades in dispensing equipment. Additionally, due to consumers' reluctance to change bathroom habits and general unease regarding personal hygiene, the common appearance of the improved bathroom tissue enables faster acceptance by relevant consumers.

A Rotational Indicia 118 indicates that the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100 may be rotated along the Rotational Axis 116 due to the dispenser rod that fits through the Central Void 114. Likewise, Dispensing Direction 110 provides an exemplary illustration of the direction Tissue Sheets 108 may be unwound from the Dry Tissues 102 as the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100 is rotated about the Rotational Axis 116 as indicated by the Rotational Indicia 118.

Moreover, the Wet Tissues 106 may be seen exiting the Dry Tissues 102 through an Opening 104 in this exemplary illustration. The Opening 104 shown here is elliptical, however a slit or round opening may also be used as is desired for aesthetics and functional concerns.

The “wet” tissues may also be generated from cellulose products, cotton, hemp and polymers as is desired for absorption and texture. Typically, such tissue may include a pulp material as well as a binding agent, as is well known by those skilled in the art.

The “wet” tissues may be pre-moistened using any suitable fluid. Fluids may be cleaning, conditioning or medicated in nature. Moreover, the particular formulation of the suitable solution may depend upon intended use of the tissue. For example, for general hygiene, the wet tissues may be moistened by use of organic saline type solutions. For example, in some embodiments a 0.5% to 1.0% saline solution may be utilized to moisten the “wet” tissues. Of course ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and other well known compounds may be utilized to moisten the tissues. Such compounds may ensure freshness of the tissues, antibacterial properties and enhanced cleaning On the other hand, for general household cleaning, the wet tissues may be moistened using an antibacterial solution including organic compounds, such as alcohols and esters, or may utilize bleaches.

Moreover, the “wet” tissue may include lotions, coloring, perfumes, vitamins and medications, as is well known by those skilled in the art. Due to the non-permeable nature of the core, the tissues may remain moist for prolonged periods.

The dry tissue may be wrapped around the core. The core may include an internal cavity capable of holding the “wet” tissues. Due to the moisture inside the core, durable materials may be utilized for the core, including but not limited to plastics, metals and reinforced cardboard types of materials. In some embodiments, the core may be manufactured for single use, and is intended to be discarded after the tissue is exhausted. In some alternate embodiments, the core may be manufactured to be durable enough to be repeatedly used through refill, or centralized recycling of the core.

The wet tissues may be rolled within the core around the shaft of the central void. The wet tissue may be perforated in “sheets” as to be easily torn at a desired length as it is unwound from the roll. In some alternate embodiments, the wet tissues may consist of individual folded sheets housed in the core in a way as to dispense the next sheet when the previous sheet is pulled from the core. Additionally, such wet tissue may include any number of ply, typically ranging from single to three or more ply.

In some embodiments, the wet and dry tissues may be enabled to independently unroll, thereby allowing for dispensing of either wet or dry tissues separately. Wet tissues may exit through a cutout in the dry tissue roll. In some alternate embodiments, wet tissues may dispense from the “top” of the roll core when the improved bathroom tissue roll is vertically mounted.

Some of the embodiments of the present bathroom tissue may be designed to deteriorate when wet in order to keep drain pipes clear. Also, in some embodiments, the “wet” towellettes may also be designed to deteriorate when placed in water of a certain molarity, or when exposed to particular additive. Likewise, the towelettes may be designed to decompose in septic tanks

Such an improved bathroom tissue may also be of particular use for infant care purposes. Additionally, the improved bathroom tissue may also be helpful for use with recovering medical patients that are sore, or otherwise sensitive to cleaning. As previously mentioned, while this application predominantly discloses a device in the context for bathroom usage, such a system may be easily adapted to a wide variety of household and cleaning purposes. For example, such a system may be adapted for general household cleaning In such an example, the wet tissues may include a general cleaner or disinfectant. In another embodiment, the roll may be adapted for window cleaning purposes, with the wet wipes including an ammonium bases solution for glass cleaning purposes and the dry roll a paper towel type tissue. Other examples include tissue rolls designed for infant care, cosmetic clean up, acne care, or particularly medicated tissues for health care purposes.

FIG. 1B shows a cut-away illustration of the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100. In this exemplary illustration, the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100 has been vertically oriented for viewing ease. The Rotational Axis 116 may be seen extending vertically as well. Again, the Dry Tissues 102 may be seen as surrounding the Tissue Roll Core 112. The Central Void 114 is also shown as extending through the entire length of the Tissue Roll Core 112. Additionally, the Tissue Roll Core 112 is seen to be hollow, or to otherwise include a cavity in which the Wet Tissues 106 may be rolled. In some embodiments, the wall of the Tissue Roll Core 112 around the Central Void 114 provides a shaft with which the Wet Tissues 106 may be wrapped about.

Of particular note is that the Wet Tissues 106 may travel from an opening in the Tissue Roll Core 112, through the Tissue Roll Core 112 and to the exterior through the Opening 104 by utilizing a Cutaway 120. In some embodiments, the Cutaway 120 may include a water barrier as to prevent the moisture from the Wet Tissues 106 from migrating into the Dry Tissues 102.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of the Tissue Roll Core 112. In this exemplary illustration, the Dry Tissues 102 are “see though” as illustrated by the dashed lines. This is intended to provide orientation of the Tissue Roll Core 112 within the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100.

Again the Rotational Axis 116 may be seen, with the Rotational Indicia 118 indicating rotation of the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100. The Central Void 114 passes centrally through the Tissue Roll Core 112. The Tissue Roll Core 112 includes a Core Shaft 202 which the Dry Tissues 102 wraps around. The Wet Tissues 106 passes out of the Core Shaft 202 through a Core Aperture 204.

FIG. 2B shows a perspective illustration of a second embodiment of the Tissue Roll Core 112. In this exemplary illustration the Dry Tissues 102 are “see though” as illustrated by the dashed lines. This is intended to provide orientation of the Tissue Roll Core 112 within the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100.

Again the Rotational Axis 116 may be seen, with the Rotational Indicia 118 indicating rotation of the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100. The Central Void 114 passes centrally through the Tissue Roll Core 112. The Tissue Roll Core 112 includes a Core Shaft 202 which the Dry Tissues 102 wraps around. The Wet Tissues 106 passes out of the Core Shaft 202 through a Core Aperture 204 and into a Moisture Barrier 206. The Moisture Barrier 206 may extend through the Dry Tissues 102 to the Opening 104.

The Moisture Barrier 206 typically may be designed to be non-permeable to moisture as to prevent the Dry Tissues 102 from becoming moist through contact with the Wet Tissues 106. The Moisture Barrier 206 may be inseparable from the Core Shaft 202, or may be a separate component from the Core Shaft 202.

In some embodiments, the Moisture Barrier 206 may also have some closure at the opening to further restrict loss of moisture from the Wet Tissues 106, which is not shown. Such a closure may be self sealing, such as a spring mounted door, or other suitable sealing method.

FIG. 2C shows a perspective illustration of a third embodiment of the Tissue Roll Core 112. In this exemplary illustration the Dry Tissues 102 are “see though” as illustrated by the dashed lines. This is intended to provide orientation of the Tissue Roll Core 112 within the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100.

Again the Rotational Axis 116 may be seen with the Rotational Indicia 118 indicating rotation of the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100. The Central Void 114 passes centrally through the Tissue Roll Core 112. The Tissue Roll Core 112 includes a Core Shaft 202 which the Dry Tissues 102 wraps around. The Wet Tissues 106 passes out of the Core Shaft 202 through the Core Aperture 204.

Moreover, in this exemplary illustration, a Weight 208 may exist in the bottom of the Core Shaft 202. The Weight 208 may include any dense material including, but not limited to, metals, ceramics, water or sand. The Weight 208 may be compartmentalized within the Core Shaft 202 to prevent contamination to the Wet Tissues 106 from the Weight 208. The effect of the Weight 208 is to ensure the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100 orients itself after rotation along the Rotational Indicia 118 such that the Wet Tissues 106 always faces outwards due to gravity effects. The benefit of the inclusion for the Weight 208 is thus to ensure ease of use by making the Wet Tissues 106 accessible.

FIG. 2D shows a perspective illustration of a fourth embodiment of the Tissue Roll Core 112. In this exemplary illustration, the Dry Tissues 102 are “see though” as illustrated by the dashed lines. This is intended to provide orientation of the Tissue Roll Core 112 within the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100.

Again the Rotational Axis 116 may be seen with the Rotational Indicia 118 indicating rotation of the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100. The Tissue Roll Core 112 includes a Core Shaft 202 which the Dry Tissues 102 wraps around. The Wet Tissues 106 passes out of the Core Shaft 202 through a Core Aperture 204.

Unlike previous embodiments, however, an Off-center Void 210 passes through the Tissue Roll Core 112 above the center. The off-center orientation of the Off-center Void 210 again ensures that the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100 orients itself after rotation along the Rotational Indicia 118 such that the Wet Tissues 106 always faces outwards due to gravity effects. The benefit of the inclusion for the Off-center Void 210 is thus to ensure ease of use by making the Wet Tissues 106 accessible.

It should be noted that the embodiments of FIG. 2A to 2D illustrate specific components, of which one skilled in the art may combine as is desirous. For example, the Tissue Roll Core 112 may include the Moisture Barrier 206 of FIG. 2B with the off-center orientation of the Off-center Void 210 of FIG. 2D.

FIG. 3A shows a detailed illustration of a first embodiment of the Tissue Roll Core 112. In this exemplary illustration, the Dry Tissues 102 are “see though” as illustrated by the dashed lines. This is intended to provide orientation of the Tissue Roll Core 112 within the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100.

Again the Rotational Axis 116 may be seen with the Rotational Indicia 118 indicating rotation of the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100. The Tissue Roll Core 112 includes a Core Shaft 202 which is comprised of three sections: End-Caps 302a and 302b respectively, and the Middle Housing 304. The Dry Tissues 102 wraps around the Core Shaft 202. The Wet Tissues 106 passes out of the Middle Housing 304 through a Core Aperture 204. In this example, the End-Caps 302a and 302b may be joined to the Middle Housing 304 permanently with welding, glue or pressure sealing.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the End-Caps 302a and 302b may be joined to the Middle Housing 304 in a manner where they may be sealed and opened at will. Threading, clipping with use of a gasket, or other method may be utilized to couple the End-Caps 302a and 302b to the Middle Housing 304. These embodiments may be of particular use when the Tissue Roll Core 112 is intended to be refillable, rather than disposable.

Again, it may be seen that a Central Void 114 passes through the Tissue Roll Core 112. Thus, a dispensing rod may be placed though the Central Void 114 for mounting on a dispenser.

FIG. 3B shows a detailed illustration of a second embodiment of the Tissue Roll Core 112. In this exemplary illustration, the Dry Tissues 102 are “see though” as illustrated by the dashed lines. This is intended to provide orientation of the Tissue Roll Core 112 within the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100.

Again the Rotational Axis 116 may be seen with the Rotational Indicia 118 indicating rotation of the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100. The Tissue Roll Core 112 includes a Core Shaft 202 which is comprised of three sections: End-Caps 302a and 302b respectively, and the Middle Housing 304. The Dry Tissues 102 wraps around the Core Shaft 202. The Wet Tissues 106 passes out of the Middle Housing 304 through a Core Aperture 204. In this example, the End-Caps 302a and 302b may be joined to the Middle Housing 304 permanently, or in a manner where they may be sealed and opened at will.

This exemplary embodiment includes a Mounting Protrusion 306 in lieu of the Central Void 114. The usage of the Mounting Protrusion 306 results in an expansion of the cavity within the Tissue Roll Core 112. Thus, additional Wet Tissues 106 may be included in the Improved Bathroom Tissue Roll 100 since the hollow of the Tissue Roll Core 112 has greater capacity. The Mounting Protrusion 306 may be configured as to fit as many standard dispensers as possible. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the Mounting Protrusion 306 may be configured to join with only particular dispenser units.

It should be also noted that the embodiments of FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate specific components, of which one skilled in the art may combine as is desirous with either of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and FIG. 3B.

• II. Top Aperture

FIG. 4 shows an illustration of a vertically dispensing improved bathroom tissue with holder, shown generally at 400. The exemplary illustration includes a cutaway view. The Dry Tissues 102 may be seen vertically mounted and capable of rotation about the Rotational Indicia 118. Additionally the Tissue Sheets 108 may be seen as dispensing along the Dispensing Direction 110. A Vertical Core 404 may also be seen which includes an opening on the top portion enabling access to the Wet Tissues 106. This design enables access to the Wet Tissues 106 without compromising the Dry Tissues 102.

This embodiment of the improved bathroom tissue may be mounted on a dispenser including a Base 406 and a Stem 408. The Stem 408 may extend into and couple with a Socket 412. The Socket 412 couples to a Cavity Floor 410. The Cavity Floor 410 may be integrated into the Vertical Core 404 to provide an enclosure for the roll of the Wet Tissues 106.

• III. Side Access

FIG. 5A shows a first illustration of a side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser at 500A, in accordance with an embodiment. In this example embodiment, the dispenser still houses the wet wipes within the core region of the toilet paper roll, but rather than accessing the wet tissues through an aperture in the dry roll, the wipes are accessed via a sealable Port 512 located on the distal End Cap 510 of the improved tissue dispenser.

In this exemplary embodiment, the improved tissue dispenser is configured to fit into any standard toilet roll Holder 502 as is commonly found in a residential bathroom. The dry Tissue Roll 504 may be a standard toilet paper roll sold commonly at retail outlets. The dry toilet paper roll is typically wound around a cardboard cylinder. The improved tissue dispenser may fit within the cardboard roll center and couple to the Holder 502.

FIG. 5B shows a see-through illustration of the side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser, at 500B, in accordance with an embodiment. In this example illustration, the dry Tissue Roll 504 is see through in order to provide a visual of the improved tissue dispenser. The Tissue dispenser includes a Housing Unit 514 coupled to the End Cap 510, and tension coupled to the Spring Cap 516.

Wet, medicated, or specialty wipes, as discussed above may be packed into the Housing Unit 514 and travel through the End Cap 510 in order to be accessed via the sealable Port 512. As such, in some embodiments, the Housing Unit 514 and End Cap 510 may be of suitable water resistant materials in order to prevent ruining the Dry Tissue Roll 504. In some embodiments, the Spring Cap 516, Housing Unit 514 and End Cap 510 may be manufactured from resin, metals, plastics or other material or suitable water resistance, oil resistance, or corrosion resistance (dependent upon the wet tissue composition). In some embodiments, the improved tissue dispenser may be manufactured from polyethylene, polyurethane, or other suitable polymer plastic.

FIG. 6 shows a cutaway illustration of the side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser, at 600, in accordance with an embodiment. This example cut away illustration provides a clear illustration of the interior void of the Housing 514, as well as the path from the Housing 512 to the End Cap 510 to the sealable Port 512.

The Housing 514 is illustrated as being closed on one end where it fits into the Spring Cap 518. This closure prevents the moisture from escaping from the wet tissues, and further provides a base for the Spring 518 to rest against. The Spring 518 pushes the spring Cap 516 away from the Housing 514. As these members are capable of moving apart from one another, the spring places pressure on the Holder 502, ensuring that the improved tissue dispenser stays connected to the holder during use. As can be seen, the End Cap 510 and the Spring Cap 516 each include nubs that are configured to insert into depressions of the holder. The size of these nubs is often uniform, and as such, an improved tissue dispenser can conceivable be utilized in any existing toilet tissue holder.

Also of note, the End Cap 510 is illustrated as being comprised of two separate pieces. This two component design, in some embodiments, enables easier manufacture, and additionally enables the End Cap 510 to be opened to facilitate wet tissue refills. Refilling of wet tissues may also be effectuated, in some embodiments by separation of the End Cap 510 from the Housing 514. In yet alternate embodiments, the end of the housing 514 proximate to the Spring 516 may be removable in order to facilitate wet tissue reloading.

FIG. 7 shows a second illustration of the side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser, at 700, in accordance with an embodiment. In this example illustration, the improved tissue dispenser is seen independently from the tissue roll Holder 502 and Dry Tissue Roll 504. Again the End Cap 510 is seen coupled to the Housing 514, which is movably coupled to the Spring Cap 516. The first holder Nub 520 may also be clearly seen in this example embodiment.

When the dry tissue roll requires replacement, the cardboard core may be slipped off of the improved tissue dispenser and discarded. The improved tissue dispenser may then be inserted, from the Spring Cap 516 side, into the cardboard core of a new dry tissue roll. The replaced roll and improved tissue dispenser may then be remounted by inserting the dispenser nubs into the Holder 502. The spring force secured the improved tissue dispenser from readily being inadvertently dislodged from the Holder 502.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view illustration of the side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser, at 800, in accordance with an embodiment. In this example illustration, the End Cap 510 is seen separated from the Housing 514. In some embodiments the housing and end cap may be a single unit, however, in alternate embodiments they may be manufactured separately due to ease of manufacturing and color options. For example, the End Cap 510 is exposed after mounting on the Holder 502, and in some embodiments the End Cap may be colored, textured or otherwise decorated to meet a desired visual appeal. The Housing 514 is concealed when the improved tissue dispenser is mounted, so visual aspects are relatively unimportant, and may thus be manufactured uniformly regardless of End Cap 510 appearance.

The Spring 518 is also clearly visible as being seated between the Housing 514 and the Spring Cap 516. The Spring 518 is compressed between the Housing 514 and Spring Cap 516, thus forcing these two units away from one another. A person using the improved tissue dispenser would compress the dispenser to fit it into the Holder 502 to ensure a good fit.

FIGS. 9A to 9C show side illustrations of the side access improved bathroom tissue dispenser in accordance with some embodiments. At 900A of FIG. 9A the End Cap 510 may be seen at an angle substantially tangential to the axis of the Housing Unit 514. A second holder Nub 522 may be seen on the End Cap 510. The sealable Port 512 is illustrated as existing on the side of the End Cap 510.

At 900B of FIG. 9B, an outline of a Weight 524 is illustrated. The Weight 524 is located within the lower portion of the End Cap 510 in order to ensure that the tissue roll always aligns with the weight facing down, due to gravity, after dispensing dry tissue. The mass of the Weight 524 must be sufficient to overcome the frictional force between the Nubs 520 and 522 and the Holder 502 in order to ensure that the dispenser is able to reorient with the Weight 524 always facing downward. Spring 518 force may impact the friction between nubs and holder, and as such the Weight 524 may be selected dependent upon Spring 518 properties. Further, the weight 524 should be selected such that the person dispensing dry tissue is able to do so without inadvertently tearing the dry tissue at the perforations. Dry tissue on a roll is capable of tearing at a particular tension, the Weight 524 should not make turning the tissue roll by pulling on the sheets of dry tissue rise to this critical tension level. Proper Weight 524 selection is crucial to improved dispenser operation, as it orients the Port 512 toward the person using the tissue dispenser, thereby increasing usability.

Lastly, FIG. 9C illustrates the sealable Port 512 being opened in order to access Wet Tissues 528 through an Opening 526. When a Wet Tissue is removed from the Opening 526, another tissue may be pulled from the Housing Unit 514 though the End Cap 510 to the Opening 526. In some embodiments, the Wet Tissues 528 may be connected as a long strand, and may be perforated in order to enable easy tearing off of individual sheets. After removal of the desired quantity of Wet Tissues 528, the sealable Port 512 may be re-secured over the Opening 526.

While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. For example, wherein the disclosed methods and systems have been illustrated for bathroom tissue, these systems and methods could just as easily be utilized for paper towel type products. In such embodiments, the wet towelettes may include chlorine, ethanol or any other suitable antibacterial agent. In this way, dry paper towel and “bleach wipe” style products may be made singularly accessible for any household cleaning need.

It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bathroom tissue dispenser, useful in association with a standard sized bathroom tissue roll holder, the bathroom tissue dispenser comprising:

a housing substantially cylindrical in shape, wherein the housing is configured to receive wet tissues, and wherein the housing is configured to fit into a cardboard core of a standard bathroom dry tissue roll;

an end cap substantially disk shaped, wherein the end cap is coupled to the housing, and is configured to enable the wet tissues to travel from the housing to a re-sealable port located on the outside edge of the disk shaped end cap, and wherein the housing and end cap are configured to fit a standard bathroom tissue holder; and

a weight located within the end cap, wherein the weight is configured to orient the port horizontal when the bathroom tissue dispenser is mounted in the standard bathroom tissue holder.

2. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

a spring cap configured to movably couple to the housing; and

a spring configured to sit in compression between the housing and the spring cap, wherein the spring ensures that the bathroom tissue dispenser is secure when mounted in the standard bathroom tissue holder.

3. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 2, wherein the weight is massive enough to overcome friction forces caused by the spring in order to orient the port horizontally when the bathroom tissue dispenser is mounted in the standard bathroom tissue holder.

4. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing and end cap are manufactured from a plastic.

5. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 4, wherein the end cap is configured to be opened to facilitate loading the housing with wet tissues.

6. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein the wet tissues are pre-moistened with a saline solution.

7. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein the wet tissues are a wet tissue roll.

8. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 7, wherein the wet tissue roll is perforated.

9. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 8, wherein the wet tissue roll independently rotates within the housing.

10. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein the wet tissues are folded within the housing in such a way as to dispense a second wet tissue when a first wet tissue is removed through the port.

11. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing and end cap are substantially impermeable to moisture.

12. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing and end cap are made of disposable materials.

13. The bathroom tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein the wet tissues include at least one of lotions, medications, perfume, vitamins and coloring.