SECONDARY DISPENSER METHOD AND APPARATUS

Abstract

A supplemental wipe dispenser apparatus is removably attachable to a spool mounted paper roll. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior that contains a plurality of separately usable wipes or sheets (dry or pre-moistened). A dispensing opening on the housing enables a user to remove wipes or sheets from the housing. Left and right support arms on the housing each include a lower end portion attached to the housing and an upper end portion having a specially configured hanger that at least partially surrounds an opening. The hanger includes a first circumferentially extending portion having an inner edge, an outer edge, and a first free end portion. The hanger includes a second circumferentially extending portion having an inner edge, an outer edge, and a second free end. A gap is located in between the first and second free end portions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/369,575, filed on 1 Aug. 2016, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/704,640, filed May 5, 2015, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/989,626, filed on 7 May 2014, are both incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND

Dispensing of toilet tissue in roll form is well known in the art. Typical dispensers for tissue rolls generally include a base that is attached to a wall or other supporting surface, and support arms that extend transversely from the base. A spindle is inserted through the roll and engaged in recesses or divots at the ends of the support arms.

Numerous dispensers have been developed in the art specifically for dispensing stacked individual tissue sheets. Such dispensers typically permit the user to remove any number of sheets one at a time in a manner such that the adjacent sheet is presented for easy grasping and removal from the dispenser. Efforts have been made to incorporate such dispensers with existing conventional rolled product dispensing fixtures so that the dispenser need not be separately mounted.

One embodiment provides an improved folded tissue sheet dispenser adapted for configuration with conventional roll product dispensing fixtures.

While certain novel features of this invention shown and described below are pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of the invention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being “critical” or “essential.”

BRIEF SUMMARY

The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is a improved folded tissue sheet dispenser adapted for configuration with conventional roll product dispensing fixtures.

The supplemental wipe dispenser apparatus of the present invention is removably attachable to a spool mounted paper roll. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior that contains a plurality of separately usable wipes or sheets.

A dispensing opening on the housing enables a user to remove wipes or sheets from the housing.

Left and right support arms on the housing each include a lower end portion attached to the housing and an upper end portion having a quick connect, quick disconnect hanger that surrounds an opening.

Each hanger includes a longer arcuate portion having an inner edge, an outer edge and a first free end portion, and a shorter portion having an inner edge, an outer edge and a second free end portion. There is a gap in between the free end portions. The longer arcuate portion can be bent to enlarge the gap.

In one embodiment, the larger arcuate portion extends around said opening more than one hundred eighty degrees.

In one embodiment, the larger arcuate portion extends around said opening more than two hundred seventy degrees.

In one embodiment, the shorter portion extends around said opening less than ninety degrees.

In one embodiment, the shorter portion extends around said opening less than forty-five degrees.

In one embodiment, the opening has two sections of differing curvature.

In one embodiment, the hanger larger arcuate portion is bendable.

In one embodiment, the hanger larger arcuate portion is flexible.

In one embodiment, the larger arcuate portion has a memory so that it returns to an initial starting position after being bent.

In one embodiment, the larger arcuate portion has a memory so that it returns to an initial starting position after being flexible.

One embodiment provides a supplemental sheet dispenser compatible with conventional toilet paper dispensing systems.

One embodiment provides a supplemental sheet dispenser wherein the sheets may be pre-wetted and supplied in substantially sealed container with sealable access door. In one embodiment the container can include specially configured extendable connecting arms which can detachably connect to a spool of a conventional toilet paper dispenser.

One embodiment provides a dispenser for dry sheets which can be wetted by a liquid added to the container component by the user or consumer.

In one embodiment is provided a supplemental dispenser for detachably mounting on a conventional toilet paper dispenser, the apparatus having a container component adapted to accept or pre-loaded with wetted, self-wetting or wettable sheet material.

In one embodiment is provided releasable attachment mechanism for the container housing for detachably mounting on a conventional toilet paper dispenser.

In one embodiment is provided a detachable mount having extendable arms with specially configured hangers for attachment of the container conventional toilet-tissue dispenser to releasably engage a toilet-tissue supporting rod or spindle of the dispenser.

One embodiment provides a supplementary dispenser configured for dispensing a supply of wipes and/or folded tissues from a dispenser fixture that has extendable and retractable support arms with specially configured quick release hangers. The fixture maybe, for example, a conventional tissue roll dispenser wherein the support arms include a hanger surrounding an opening at their ends into which the ends of a rod or spindle are received. The rod spindle is typically inserted through a core or hollow member provided in the bathroom tissue roll. In various embodiments the toilet paper dispenser can be a “stand alone” dispenser with a rod or spindle, and in various embodiments the rod or spindle can be permanently attached to the stand alone toilet paper dispenser.

The supplemental dispenser includes a housing container having an internal compartment volume configured to retain a supply of folded issue sheets. The housing is not limited to any particular style, configuration, or shape, and may take on any aesthetically pleasing configuration and be made of any conventional material.

In one embodiment, the housing is an elongated box-like structure. The housing may be refillable, or can be a disposable item to be discarded after depletion of the tissue supply. It should also be appreciated that the dispenser is not limited to any particular type of product to be dispensed, but is particularly well suited for dispensing a stack of interfolded tissue sheets. The tissue sheets may be dry or pre-moistened.

A dispensing opening is defined in a wall of the housing. The opening may be, for example, a door in a top surface, bottom surface, or side surface of the housing. The opening provides a location for a consumer to easily access, grasp, and pull individual tissue sheets from the dispenser.

Retractable and extendable support arms can be provided on opposed exterior side walls of the container housing. Each support arm can include a specially configured hanger and an opening with a shape and configuration for quick connect, quick disconnect engagement with a portion of a spool or spindle. In various embodiments the retraction and extension can be obtained by pivoting or rotational type movements while in other embodiments can be obtained by sliding type movements.

In one embodiment the support arms can be extendable and retractable in positions along their respective tracks allowing the container housing to be adaptable with different fixtures having varying length support arms along with allowing the container housing to provide frictional resistance to the roll of toilet paper. In one particular embodiment, the support arms are variably positionable along their tracks. In one embodiment a releasable engagement mechanism is provided between each support arm and the container housing, which can include a ratcheting mechanism such as a resiliently mounted positioning button which can be connected to one of a plurality of positioning openings disposed along each arms length.

In one embodiment the extension member may be resiliently biased towards the openings. Any configuration of engaging members operatively disposed between the slide member and position bar may be used. In an alternate embodiment, each arm may be frictionally retained in position relative to the track.

In one embodiment the supplemental dispenser may also include a supply of folded tissues disposed within the container housing. The container housing may be openable and refillable with a cartridge of tissues in the form of, for example, a bag or pouch-like container insertable into the housing.

In one embodiment is provided a container including an openable door:

• • (a) when closed is hermetically seals the interior volume of the container, and
  • (b) when opened provides access to at least one sheet of a plurality of sheets. In one embodiment the door is pivotally connected to the container (e.g. hingedly connected).

In one embodiment a basic liquid employed as above described may, for example, can be largely a distilled sterile water, water and alcohol, or water, alcohol and an emollient such as lanolin. A fragrance may also be included. Other possible ingredients comprise a humectant, e.g., glycerine or propylene glycol, an appropriate antiseptic or germicidal substance, or a bacteriostat, a mineral oil, an emulsifying agent and a stabilizing agent. While a liquid as, for example, a liquid having a cleansing and sterilizing property may be used, the sheets may alternatively use a treating agent such as a powder, a salve, a cream or the like.

In one embodiment the wetted sheets have an adequate tear strength to withstand withdrawal from the container and such sheets they may multilayered.

In one embodiment the container and its components are comprised of plastic composition, e.g., a thermoplastic such as polystyrene, polypropylene, a polycarbonate, ABS, etc., and are formed, for example, by an injection molding method.

In various embodiments is provided a supplemental dispenser for storing and dispensing folded tissue sheets, comprising: (a) a housing having top and bottom portions, opposite exterior side walls located between the top and bottom portions, an internal compartment configured to retain a supply of folded issue sheets, and an openable top providing access to the internal compartment; (b) a dispensing opening in the top, providing access to the internal compartment which is smaller than the access in the openable top; (c) a plurality of arms, located on opposite exterior side walls of the housing and rotatably connected to the housing having closed and open positions, each of the arms including an opening; (d) wherein the plurality of arms in their open position are supported on the toilet paper dispenser having a pair of toilet paper dispenser spaced apart arms and the spindle, the spindle also being supported by the pair of toilet paper dispenser spaced apart arms, a roll of toilet paper having a plurality of detachable sheets being supported by the spindle, and the arms of the dispenser in the open state being attached to the spindle at locations between the roll of toilet paper and the pair of spaced apart toilet paper dispenser arms; and (e) the arms engaging the roll of toilet paper resisting free spinning of the roll of toilet paper relative to the spindle when detachable sheets are pulled hard from the roll of toilet paper.

In various embodiments each arm can be frictionally positionable between open and closed states.

In various embodiments the arms in their fully open position have a spanning distance and the roll of toilet paper has a longitudinal length and the spanning distances is less than the longitudinal length. In various embodiments the spanning distance can be less than 100, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, 86, 85, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80, 78, 76, 75, 74, 72, 70, 68, 67, 66, 64, 62, 60, 58, 56, 54, and/or 50 percent of the longitudinal length of the roll of toilet paper. In various embodiments the spanning distance can be between any two of the referenced percentages of the longitudinal length of the roll of toilet paper.

In various embodiments the resistance to free spinning of the roll of toilet paper by the engagement of the arms with the roll of toilet paper can be least an additional 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.4, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.5, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.61, 0.62, 0.63, 0.64, 0.65, 0.66, 0.67, 0.68, 0.69, 0.7, 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.8, 0.81, 0.82, 0.83, 0.84, 0.85, 0.86, 0.87, 0.88, 0.89, 0.9, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.2, 2.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and/or 100 newton-meters of torque. In various embodiments the additional resistance to free spinning can be an amount between any two of the above referenced torque values.

In various embodiments the supplemental dispenser can further comprise a retractable and extendable spacer connected to the supplemental dispenser, and when the spacer is in a retracted state, the supplemental dispenser hangs from the spindle in a generally vertical direction, and when the spacer is in the extended state such extension causes the dispenser to be maintained in a non-vertical position compared to the vertical position of the supplemental dispenser when the spacer is in a retracted state.

In various embodiments the supplemental dispenser can further comprise a retractable and extendable spacer connected to the dispenser, the spacer being connected to the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser, wherein in the retracted state the spacer does not protrude beyond the bottom portion, and in the extended state the spacer does protrude beyond the bottom portion said protrusion said protrusion causing the supplemental dispenser to be moved from a generally vertical angle to a generally non-vertical angle.

In various embodiments is provided a method of using a combination toilet paper fixture and supplemental dispenser for storing and dispensing folded tissue sheets, comprising the steps of:

• • (a) providing a supplemental dispenser adapted for configuration with the toilet paper dispensing fixture having a spindle, the supplemental dispenser comprising:
    • a housing having top and bottom portions, an internal compartment including a supply of moistened and folded tissue sheets, an openable top providing access to the internal compartment;
    • a dispensing opening in the top, providing access to the internal compartment with moistened tissue sheets which supplemental dispensing opening is smaller than the access using the openable top;
    • a plurality of extendable and retractable arms, the arms engaging the spindle of the toilet paper fixture; and wherein the arms are foldably connected to the housing of the supplemental dispenser for extension and retraction, wherein the arms in their extended state are supported on the toilet paper dispenser, and the arms of the supplemental dispenser in the extended state resisting free spinning of the roll of toilet paper relative to both the toilet paper dispenser and the supplemental dispenser, and
  • (b) supporting both the roll of toilet paper and the supplemental dispenser by the toilet paper dispenser wherein both arms are in contact with the roll of toilet paper
  • (c) pulling hard enough on the roll of toilet paper to cause the roll of toilet paper to enter a condition of free spinning relative to the toilet paper dispenser when not engaged by the arms of the supplemental dispenser, wherein the engagement of the arms of the supplemental dispenser with the roll of toilet paper prevent the roll of toilet paper from entering the free spinning condition.

In various embodiments the supplemental dispenser includes a spacer connected to the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser, wherein the spacer has extended and retracted states, wherein in the retracted state the spacer does not protrude beyond the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser, and in the extended state the spacer does protrude beyond the bottom portion, said protrusion causing the supplemental dispenser to be moved from a generally vertical angle to a generally non-vertical angle.

In various embodiments the method further includes the step of changing the spacer from a retracted state to an extended state, which extended state causes the spacer to contact a surface which contact causes the supplemental dispenser to move to a generally non-vertical angle compared to the supplemental dispenser's relative angular position when the spacer is in the retracted state.

In various embodiments the method further includes the step of pushing on the supplemental dispenser such that the spacer maintains contact on the surface while simultaneously opening the dispensing top and pulling out a wipe from the supplemental dispenser opening while the dispenser spacer maintains contact with the surface and maintains a constant generally non-vertical angle of the dispenser.

In various embodiments the method further includes the step of wherein after pulling out the wipe, the spacer is put into the retracted state causing the supplemental dispenser to be positioned in a generally vertical position.

In various embodiments of the method and apparatus the spanning distance can be less than 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, 86, 85, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80, 78, 76, 75, 74, 72, 70, 68, 67, 66, 64, 62, 60, 58, 56, 54, and/or 50 percent of the longitudinal length of the roll of toilet paper. In various embodiments of the method and apparatus the spanning distance can be between any two of the referenced percentages of the longitudinal length of the roll of toilet paper.

In various embodiments of the method and apparatus the additional resistance to free spinning of the roll of toilet paper by the engagement of the arms with the roll of toilet paper is at least an additional 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.4, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.5, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.61, 0.62, 0.63, 0.64, 0.65, 0.66, 0.67, 0.68, 0.69, 0.7, 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.8, 0.81, 0.82, 0.83, 0.84, 0.85, 0.86, 0.87, 0.88, 0.89, 0.9, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.2, 2.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and/or 100 newton-meters of torque. In various embodiments the additional resistance to free spinning is an amount between any two of the referenced values of torque values.

In various embodiments of the method and apparatus a spacer can be connected to the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser, wherein the spacer has extended and retracted states, and in the extended state the spacer both protrudes beyond the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser and maintains the supplemental dispenser in a single position in relation to a wall supporting the toilet paper fixture.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate system, structure or manner.

FIGS. 1-15 show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1. An alternate arrangement can be seen, designated by the numeral 40 in FIGS. 8-11.

Paper dispensing apparatus 10 can be used for attachment to a structure (e.g., such as a pole 11 or a wall 12). A pair of spaced apparatus horizontally extending supports 13 can attach to the structure 11 or 12 and can be used to support a horizontal spool, spindle or shaft 14. A roll of tissue 15 is mounted to the spindle or shaft 14.

The apparatus 10 of the present invention provides a box or housing or container 16 having a bottom section 17 and a top section 18. The hinge 19 or other connector can be used to attach the bottom section 17 to the top section 18.

Top section 18 can provide a lid or door which can be attached to the top section 18 using a connector such as a hinge 21. A dispensing opening 22 enables the user 25 access to multiple tissues or wipes 23 that are contained within the interior of the box, housing or container 16. In FIG. 7, there can be seen a user 24 removing a single tissue or wipe 23 from box, housing or container 16 via opening 22. Wipes 23 can be wet, pre-moistened or other wipes that are stacked inside container 16.

A pair of spaced apart arms or hangers 25, 26 are provided, each pivotally attached to the box, housing or container 16. Arm or hanger 25 is pivotally connected to box, housing or container 16 with pivotal connection 27. Similarly, arm or hanger 26 is pivotally attached at pivotal connection 28 to box or housing or container 16.

Each arm or hanger 25 has an upper end portion 30 and a lower end portion 29. The hangers or arms 25, 26 can be similarly constructed, each providing an opening that is receptive of the horizontal spool, support, spindle or shaft 14.

Notice that the upper end portion 30 of each arm or hanger 25, 26 includes a curved member 31 having outer edge 32 and inner edge or surface 33. An inner edge or surface 34 is also provided that has a greater radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of edge 33 as seen in FIG. 1. Free end 35 is provided closest to arm 25 central axis 49 as seen in FIG. 2. A second free end 36 is provided. There is a gap or space 37 in between the free end portions or free ends 35, 36. Rib 38 can be used to reinforce curve member 31 as seen in FIGS. 2-3.

Central hanger opening 39 thus includes the area surrounded by rib 38 and curved member 31. The free end or free end portion 36 can be moved away from the free end or free end portion 35 as seen in FIG. 4 thus increasing the size of gap 37 (see arrow 50, FIG. 4). Curved member 31 can be flexed or moved or bent in between free end portion 36 and inner surface or edge 34 as seen in FIG. 4. Central hanger opening 39 thus includes a portion with a greater radius of curvature next to surface or edge 33 and a lesser radius of curvature next to surface or edge 34. A strut or peg 41 can be used to space housing or container 16 from a support 11 or 12. The strut or peg 41 can be attached to the container 16 using a threaded connection 42.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, the rear surface 43 of container 16 can be provided with multiple suction cups 44. The suction cups 44 can be attached to a suitable wall 12 (e.g., tile) as indicated by arrows 45 in FIG. 5.

An alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention can be seen in FIGS. 8-12 wherein a lamp bulb or light 46 is provided on the housing or container 16. In FIG. 10, an illuminated bulb 47 is shown. In FIG. 8, the housing 16 can be a glow in the dark housing 48. As shown in FIG. 12, the bulb 46 is illuminated (i.e., bulb 47) or activated when a user 24 enters a bathroom such as could be detected with a commercially available motion detector.

The following is a list of reference numerals:

LIST FOR REFERENCE NUMERALS
(Part No.) (Description)
10         wipe/paper dispensing apparatus
11         structure/pole
12         structure/wall
13         support
14         horizontal spool/spindle/shaft
15         roll of tissue
16         box/housing/container
17         bottom section
18         top section
19         hinge
20         lid/door
21         hinge
22         dispensing opening
23         tissue/wipe
24         user
25         arm/hanger
26         arm/hanger
27         pivotal connection
28         pivotal connection
29         lower end portion
30         upper end portion
31         curved member
32         outer edge
33         inner surface/edge
34         inner surface/edge
35         free end
36         free end
37         gap/space
38         rib
39         opening/central hanger opening
40         wipe/paper dispensing apparatus
41         strut/peg
42         threaded connection
43         rear surface
44         suction cup
45         arrow
46         bulb/lamp/light
47         bulb/lamp/light
48         glow in dark housing
49         central axis
50         arrow

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A supplemental wipe dispenser apparatus that is removably attachable to a spool mounted paper roll, comprising:

a) a housing having an interior that contains a plurality of separately usable wipes or sheets;

b) a dispensing opening on the housing that enables a user to remove wipes or sheets from the housing;

c) left and right support arms on the housing that each include a lower end portion attached to the housing and an upper end portion having a hanger that surrounds a central hanger opening;

d) the hanger including a first circumferentially extending portion having an inner edge, an outer edge and a first free end;

e) the hanger including a second circumferentially extending portion having an inner edge, an outer edge and a second free end;

f) wherein there is a gap in between the end portions; and

g) wherein the first circumferentially extending portion is movable and can be moved to enlarge the gap.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first circumferentially extending portion extends around said central hanger opening more than one hundred eighty degrees.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first circumferentially extending portion extends around said central hanger opening more than two hundred seventy degrees.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second circumferentially extending portion extends around said central hanger opening less than ninety degrees.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second circumferentially extending portion extends around said central hanger opening less than forty-five degrees.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said central hanger opening has two sections having differing radii of curvature.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hanger first circumferentially extending portion is bendable.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hanger first circumferentially extending portion is flexible.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the larger arcuate portion has a memory so that it returns to an initial starting position after being bent.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the larger arcuate portion has a memory so that it returns to an initial starting position after being flexible.

11. A supplemental wipe dispenser apparatus that is removably attachable to a spool mounted paper roll, comprising:

a) a housing having an interior that contains a plurality of separately usable wipes or sheets;

b) a dispensing opening on the housing that enables a user to remove wipes or sheets from the housing;

c) left and right support arms on the housing that each include a lower end portion attached to the housing and an upper end portion having a hanger that surrounds a central hanger opening;

d) the hanger including a longer arcuate portion having an inner edge, an outer edge and a first free end portion;

e) the hanger including a shorter portion having an inner edge, an outer edge and a second free end portion;

f) wherein there is a gap in between the said free end portions; and

g) wherein said gap can be enlarged by manually moving said arcuate portions apart.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the larger arcuate portion extends around said hanger opening more than one hundred eighty degrees.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the larger arcuate portion extends around said hanger opening more than two hundred seventy degrees.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shorter portion extends around said opening less than ninety degrees.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shorter portion extends around said opening less than forty-five degrees.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hanger opening has two sections having differing radii of curvature.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hanger larger arcuate portion is bendable.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hanger larger arcuate portion is flexible.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the larger arcuate portion has a memory so that it returns to an initial starting position after being bent.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the larger arcuate portion has a memory so that it returns to an initial starting position after being flexed.