Disposable dispensing apparatus for paper towels

Abstract

An disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus 10 is provided in combination with a paper towel roll 12. The disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus if this invention includes a circularly shaped base support member comprised of a disposable material having a guide slot 20 formed therein. An elongated vertically extending member 24 comprised of the same disposable material is coupled at one end 26 thereof to the middle of the circularly shaped base support member with the paper towel roll 12 formed therearound in a vertical upright position. An upper coupling member 32 comprised of the disposable material couplingly engages the uppermost portion 36 of the vertically extending member 24 thereby allowing the paper towel roll 12 to be held in a predetermined position so that the paper towel can be selectively dispensed through the guide slot until the roll is depleted and the dispenser can thereafter be depleted.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to paper towels and more particularly to a disposable device for facilitating dispensing of a roll of paper towels by a user. Cleanliness is an ongoing concern because of the health consequences associated therewith. Paper towels are commonly used to address concerns regarding cleanliness and may be used in a number of places throughout a home and/or business. Thus dispensing these products are just as important as the product itself. Because they are used frequently it is common to have multiple permanent dispensers located in multiple locations to facilitate all of one's paper towel dispensing needs. However these dispensers are not always desirable because of space and cost concerns resulting from the number of dispensers that may be required to fulfill a user's needs Thus it is desirable to have a disposable paper towel dispensing device that allows a user to satisfy all of the user's needs for paper towel use while having an easy disposable and cost effective way of dispensing the product without the concerns associated with maintaining multiple permanent dispensers.

BACKGROUND ART

There have been a number of attempts to deal with dispensing paper towel products. However none of these products specifically address the need and advantages inherent in a disposable dispenser. All of these products emphasize more permanent paper towel dispenser. One such arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,984. This apparatus discloses a paper towel holder formed of a base that may be weighted for stability and a cover sized and shaped to be slidably engaged within a channel formed in the base. A first spindle and a second spindle are positioned on the base and the inside of the top of the cover for holding the roll of paper towels in a vertical orientation and to permit rotation of the roll on the concave slides and of the spindles. A slot formed in the cover facilitates dispensing of the paper towels. Another arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. D610,382 S. This apparatus discloses an ornamental design for a bamboo paper towel holder that is a non disposable device. The apparatus also includes a pole member mounted to a base member which has mounted at the top portion of the pole member, a decorative removable end cap to hold the paper towel on the pole member. The apparatus also includes a hinged elongated device connected to the base member which stabilizes the paper towel roll by pressing the towel inwardly thereby supporting the towel effectively on the pole.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus is provided in combination with a paper towel roll. The disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus of this invention includes a cicularly shaped base support member comprised of a disposable material having a guide slot formed therein. An elongated vertically extending member comprised of the same disposable material is coupled at one end thereof to the middle of the circularly shaped base support member with the paper towel roll formed therearound in a vertical upright position. An upper coupling member comprised of the disposable material couplingly engages the uppermost portion of the vertically extending member thereby allowing the roll of paper towel to be held in a predetermined position so that the paper towel can be selectively dispensed through the guide slot until the roll is depleted and the dispenser can thereafter be discarded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The details of the invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a disposable paper towel apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a disposable paper towel apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a disposable paper towel apparatus without a paper towel roll supported thereon in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of a disposable paper towel apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a top of a disposable paper towel apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a second embodiment of a disposable paper towel apparatus without a paper towel roll support thereon in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of a disposable paper towel apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a third embodiment of a disposable paper towel apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating a third embodiment of a disposable paper towel apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll in accordance with the principles of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 there is shown, a disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus, generally designated, by the numeral, 10 in combination with a paper towel roll, generally designated, by the numeral, 12. The apparatus 10 includes a circularly shaped light weight base support member comprised of a light weight disposable plastic material, generally designated, by the numeral 14 (FIG. 2). The base support member 14 includes a circular shaped bottom wall member 16 and an upstanding circularly shaped wall member, generally designated, by the numeral 18, having a guide slot 20 (FIG. 2) formed therein. The upstanding circularly shaped wall member is coupled to outermost portions 22 of the bottom wall member 16.

The disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus 10 is also formed with an elongated vertically extending member, comprised of the same disposable light weight plastic material as used for the base support member, generally designated, by the numeral 24. The elongated vertically extending member 24 is coupled at a lowermost portion 26 thereof to a central portion 28 of the bottom wall member 16 of the base support member 14. The paper towel roll 12 is supported on and formed around the vertically extending member 24 to rotate and unwind thereon about the axis 30 (FIG. 3) of the pole member in a predetermined manner. A coupling member, being comprised of the disposable light weight plastic material, generally designated by the numeral, 32 is provided. The coupling member 32 includes an engaging aperture 33 for facilitating stabilization of the member 24 with a user's finger. The coupling member 32 also includes an outwardly projecting threaded member 34 formed around an uppermost portion 36 of the vertically extending member 24. The coupling member 32 further includes a planar shaped member 38 and a cylindrically shaped member 40 formed therewith having threaded indentations 42 which interact with the outwardly projecting threaded member 34 (FIG. 3) to couplingly secure the paper towel roll 12 in a predetermined position on the vertically extending member so that it can be selectively pulled by outermost end portions 44 thereof through the guide slot and dispensed as desired by a user while the user engages the aperture 33 with a finger. Alternatively, the member 32 may, for example, be formed with or molded to the uppermost portion of the vertically extending member 24.

The disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus 10 may be made, for example, of a lightweight plastic material such as high density polyethylene terephthalate or, for example, a disposable material, such as, a cardboard or other still paper like disposable material which will allow discarding of the dispenser once the paper towel roll 12 is depleted.

When it is desired to use the dispenser 10 a user can simply roll the desired amount of paper towel from the roll 12 through the slot 20 while engaging the aperture 33 with a finger to stabilize the dispenser 10. Once all the paper towel 12 has been dispensed the dispenser 10 can then be discarded and another paper towel dispenser and paper towel roll can be opened for use.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 there is shown, a second embodiment of a disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus, generally designated, by the numeral, 50 in combination with a paper towel roll, generally designated, by the numeral, 52. The apparatus 50 includes a rectangularly shaped base support member comprised of a light weight disposable plastic material, generally designated, by the numeral 54 (FIG. 5). The base support member 54 includes a rectangularly shaped bottom wall member 56 and an upstanding rectangularly shaped wall member, generally designated, by the numeral 58 having a guide slot 60 formed therein. The upstanding rectangularly shaped wall member is coupled to outermost portions 62 of the bottom wall member 56.

The disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus 50 also includes an elongated vertically extending member, comprised of a disposable light weight plastic material, generally designated, by the numeral 64, coupled at a lowermost portions 66 thereof to a central portion 68 of the bottom wall member 56 of the base support member 54. The paper towel roll 52 is formed around the vertically extending member 64 to, rotate and unwind thereon about the axis 70 of the vertically extending member in a predetermined manner. A coupling member, comprised of a disposable light weight plastic material, generally designated by the numeral, 72 is provided. The coupling member 72 includes an engaging aperture 73 facilitation stabilization of member 64 with a user's finger. The coupling member 72 also includes an outwardly projecting threaded member 74 formed on uppermost portions 76 of the vertically extending member 64. The coupling member 72 further includes a planar shaped member 78 and a cylindrically shaped member 80 having threaded indentations 82 which interact with the threaded outwardly projecting member 74 (FIG. 3) to couplingly secure the paper towel roll 52 in a predetermined position on the vertically extending member so that it can be selectively pulled by outermost end portions 84 thereof through the guide slot 60 and dispensed as desired by a user while the user engages the aperture 73 with a finger. Alternatively the member 72 may, for example, be formed with or molded to the uppermost portion of the vertically extending member 64.

The disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus 50 may be made, for example, of a light weight plastic material such as light weight polyethylene terephthalate or for, example, of a disposable material, such as, a cardboard or other stiff paper like disposable material.

Referring to FIGS. 7, and 8 there is shown, a third embodiment of a disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus, generally designated, by the numeral, 90 provided in combination with a paper towel roll 92. The apparatus 90 includes a vertically extending rectangularly shaped support housing, generally designated, by the numeral 94 which is comprised of a disposable light weight plastic material. The support housing 94 includes a front planar shaped wall member 96 having a guide slot 98 formed therein. A planar shaped side wall member, generally designated, by the numeral 100 is coupled to the outermost portions 102 of the front wall member 96. Another planar shaped side wall member 104 is coupled to outermost portions 106 of the front wall member 96. A bottom planar shaped wall member 108 is coupled to the lowermost portions 110 of the front and side wall members 96, 100 and 104 respectively. The front wall member 96 and side wall members 100 and 104 are formed with slotted ridges 112 on uppermost portions 114 thereof.

The support housing 94 of the paper towel dispensing apparatus 90 also includes a top planar shaped wall member 116 and a back planar shaped wall member 118. The top wall member 116 has an engaging aperture 117 for facilitating stabilization of the apparatus 90 with a user's finger, and is coupled at an outermost back portion 120 thereof to an uppermost portion 122 of the back wall member 118. Outermost portions 124 of the top wall member 116 are slidably aligned in slotted ridges 112 to couplingly engage the walls 96, 100 and 118 of the support housing 94 together so that the paper towel roll 92 is supported in the housing to be pulled through the slot 98 and selectively guided by outermost end portions 126 thereof through the slot and dispensed as desired by a user while the user engages the aperture 117 with a finger. Is should also be understood that the apparatus 90 may be, for example, molded in a single rectangularly shaped piece.

The paper towel dispensing apparatus 90 may be, for example, made of a light weight plastic material such as high density polyethylene terephthalate or, for example, of a disposable material, such as, a stiff paper like material.

When it is desired to use the dispenser 90 a user can simply roll the desired amount of paper towel from the roll through the slot 98. Once the paper towel roll 92 has been dispensed the dispenser 90 can be discarded and another paper towel dispenser and paper towel roll 92 can be opened for use.

The invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. However, it should be recognized that changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll comprising:

a circularly shaped light weight base support member comprised of a lightweight disposable plastic material, having a guide slot formed therein;

an elongated vertically extending member comprised of the same disposable light weight plastic material as used for the base support member, the elongated vertically extending member being coupled at a lowermost portion thereof to a central portion of the bottom wall member of the base support member;

a paper towel roll supported on and formed around the vertically extending member to rotate and unwind thereon about an axis thereof of the vertically extending member in a predetermined manner; and

a coupling member, being, comprised of the disposable light weight plastic material for couplingly securing the paper towel roll in a predetermined position on the vertically extending member so that the paper towel can be selectively pulled by outermost end portions thereof through the guide slot and dispensed until depleted so that the dispenser can thereafter be discarded.

2. A disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll as defined in claim 1 wherein the base support member includes a circular shaped bottom wall member and

an upstanding circularly shaped wall member having, the guide slot formed therein whereby the upstanding circularly shaped wall member is coupled to outermost portions of the bottom wall member.

3. A disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll as defined in claim 2 wherein the coupling member includes:

an outwardly projecting threaded member formed around an uppermost portion of the vertically extending member;

a planar shaped member; and

a cylindrically shaped member formed with the planar shaped member having threaded indentations formed therein which interacts with the outwardly projecting threaded member to coupling secure the paper towel roll in a predetermined position on the vertically extending member.

4. A disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll comprising:

a rectangularly shaped base support member comprised of a light weight disposable plastic material having a guide slot formed therein;

an elongated vertically extending member,

comprised of a disposable light weight plastic material coupled at a lowermost portions thereof to a central portion of the bottom wall member of the base support member;

a paper towel roll formed around the vertically extending member to rotate and unwind thereon about an axis thereof of the vertically extending member in a predetermined manner; and

a coupling member, comprised of a disposable light weight plastic material, for couplingly securing the paper towel roll in a predetermined position on the vertically extending member so that the paper towel can be selectively pulled by outermost portions thereof through the guide slot and dispensed until depleted and so that the dispenser can thereafter be discarded.

5. A disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll as defined in claim 4 wherein the base support member includes a rectangularly shaped bottom wall member; and

An upstanding rectangularly shaped wall member, having the guide slot formed therein whereby the upstanding rectangularly shaped wall member is coupled to outermost portions of the bottom wall member.

6. An disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll as defined in claim 5 wherein the coupling member includes:

an outwardly projecting threaded member formed on uppermost of the vertically extending member;

a planar shaped member; and

a cylindrically shaped member formed with the planar shaped member having threaded indentations formed therein which interact with the outwardly projecting threaded member to couplingly secure the paper towel roll in a predetermined [position on the vertically extending member.

7. An disposable paper towel dispensing apparatus in combination with a paper towel roll comprising:

a front planar shaped wall member comprised of a disposable light weight plastic material having a guide slot formed therein;

a first planar shaped side wall member comprised of a disposable light weight plastic material coupled to the outermost portions of the front wall member;

a second planar shaped side wall member comprised of a disposable light weight plastic material coupled to outermost portions of the front wall member;

a bottom planar shaped wall member comprised of a disposable lightweight plastic material coupled to the lowermost portions of the front and side wall members;

a slotted ridge formed on uppermost portions of the front, first and second wall side wall members;

a top planar shaped wall member; and

a back planar shaped wall member, the top wall member being coupled at an outermost back portion thereof to an uppermost portion of the back portion thereof to an uppermost portion of the back wall member, outermost portions of the top wall member being aligned in the slotted ridges to couplingly engage the top and back walls to the walls so that the paper towel roll is supported therebetween to be pulled through the slot and selectively guided by outermost end portions thereof through the slot and dispensed until depleted and so that the dispenser can thereafter be discarded.