Toilet Tissue Holder and Dispenser

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus for holding and dispensing toilet tissue and a method of use. The toilet tissue holding and dispensing apparatus has at least an active roll position and a standby roll position, where the active roll position is at an upward angle from the standby roll position. A roll of toilet tissue is capable of being held in the active roll position by one or more pins with an angled face oriented towards the standby roll position so that the sides of a toilet tissue roll pulled from the standby roll position to the active roll position can displace the pins axially. Once a toilet tissue roll is held in the active roll position, it can rotate freely relative to the pins and the orientation of the angled faces prevents the pins from being displaced axial by a toilet tissue roll dispensing toilet tissue.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to toilet tissue dispensers and, in particular, to an apparatus that dispenses toilet tissue and stores additional rolls of toilet tissue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Toilet tissue commonly comes on rolls and is held through an axial hole in the roll to allow a user to readily dispense portions of toilet tissue. While existing toilet tissue dispensers are capable of dispensing toilet tissue from a single roll, they are cumbersome to refill. The commonly available toilet tissue dispensers require a user to remove the expended toilet tissue roll by removing an axial expandable-length member, placing a new roll on the member and reinstalling the member and roll on the dispenser. This method of replacement is undesirable to many and toilet tissue rolls often go unchanged after they are expended, with a user opting to hold a replacement roll rather than go through the replacement procedure.

[0003] While commercial toilet tissue systems exist to switch between large rolls of toilet tissue, they are not visually pleasing or appropriate for use in a residential setting. Commercial toilet tissue systems often use extremely large rolls of toilet tissue that would not practically fit in a residential bathroom. Some toilet tissue dispensing and holding apparatuses have been directed towards the residential market in the past, but they have complicated mechanisms and require multiple steps by a user, making them difficult to use.

[0004] Toilet tissue for residential use often comes in large packages of ten or more rolls, creating the need for a place to store them. In residential bathrooms, toilet tissue rolls stored on the floor are unsightly and can be damaged by water. Therefore, there is a need for a toilet tissue storage system that keeps rolls dry and out of sight.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides an apparatus for holding and dispensing toilet tissue on rolls. The invention uses an upward angle between the standby toilet tissue roll and the active toilet tissue roll to engage an angled toilet tissue roll holder, which may be spring loaded. The invention also includes a slot and ramp system to ease the transition of a toilet tissue roll from the standby position to the active position. While the present invention is intended to be desirable for use in residential applications, it could just as easily and successfully be used in commercial applications as well. The preferred embodiment disclosed herein has been adapted for use with toilet tissue on rolls, however, it could be adapted for use with other types of roll based products, such as paper towels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a side sectioned view of the preferred embodiment of the toilet tissue holding and dispensing apparatus.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side sectioned view of the preferred embodiment of the toilet tissue holding and dispensing apparatus with an angle and line marked for reference to the text.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the toilet tissue holding and dispensing apparatus.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a side sectioned view of the preferred embodiment of the spring loaded roll holding mechanism.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a side view of the second embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a front view of the second embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a top view of the second embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0014] FIG. 9 is an alternative perspective view of the second embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a side view of the third embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0017] FIG. 12 is a front view of the third embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0018] FIG. 13 is a top view of the third embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0019] FIG. 14 is an alternative perspective view of the third embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0020] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0021] FIG. 16 is a side view of the fourth embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

[0022] FIG. 17 is an alternative perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the angled roll holding pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In FIGS. 1-4 is the preferred embodiment of the toilet tissue holding and dispensing apparatus 10 of the present invention. In FIG. 1 is a side sectioned view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10. In FIG. 2 is a side sectioned view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 with angle A and plane B marked for reference. FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus 10 and FIG. 4 is a side sectioned view of an angled roll holding pin 21 sectioned axially along plane B.

[0024] The apparatus is comprised of a toilet tissue roll (hereinafter "roll") storage area and a roll dispensing area. The roll storage area is defined by the back wall 12, right wall 13, left wall 14 (identified in FIG. 3), front wall 11, cover 15 and standby ramps 19 & 20 (identified in FIG. 3). Within the roll storage area, the standby roll 33 and additional stored rolls 34 & 35 are held for later use by a user. While only two additional stored rolls 34 & 35 are shown, the apparatus could be expanded to hold additional rolls. To accommodate additional rolls, the roll storage area could be expended vertically to hold any number of rolls capable of using gravity to fall to the standby roll position. The standby roll 33 is the next roll to be used when the active roll 31 is depleted. The roll dispensing area is the area generally located between the right wall 13 and the left wall 14, but outside of the roll storage area. The active roll 31 is suspended by its axial hole 32 on angled roll holding pins 21 & 23 (hereinafter "pin(s)"). While suspended on the pins 21 & 23, the active roll 31 is free to rotate relative to the pins.

[0025] The active roll 31 and all other rolls described herein are generic toilet tissue rolls or a variation thereof. Generic toilet tissue rolls are cylindrically shaped with a cylindrically shaped axial hole 32. The cylindrically shaped axial hole 32 is centered on substantially the same axis as the cylindrical exterior of a roll 31 so that the roll is substantially symmetrical when viewed in the axial direction.

[0026] The front wall 11 of the roll storage area optionally includes a vertical window 18 to allow a user to visually identify whether additional rolls are store within the roll storage area. The location of the vertical window 18 can be moved for improved sightlines depending on the wall used to mount the apparatus 10. The cover 15 is preferably rotatably attached using hinge 16, but the method of attachment and the direction of rotation can be changed within the inventive concept. The cover 15 may be completely removable, removably attached using a different means or completely omitted. The cover 15, when in place, prevents water from damaging the rolls in the roll storage area.

[0027] The standby roll 33 sits on the standby ramps 19 & 20 prior to being moved to the active roll position. The standby ramps 19 & 20 are preferably curved to hold the standby roll 33 without risk of the standby roll 33 rolling out of position. The standby ramp is comprised of a right standby ramp 19 and left standby ramp 20 connected to the bottom of right wall 13 and left wall 14, respectively. Between the two standby ramps 19 & 20 is a gap 17 that extends the full length of the standby ramps 19 & 20 to where it meets the bottom of the back wall 12. The gap 17 may extend only partially over the length of the standby ramps 19 & 20 or be omitted entirely. The gap 17 preferably extends from the front side of the standby ramps 19 & 20 to at least the bottom of the standby roll 33. The gap 17 more preferably extends from the front side of the standby ramps 19 & 20 to 0 to 90 degrees beyond the bottom of the standby roll 33 where the origin of the angle is the axial center of the standby roll 33. In some embodiments, the gap 17 extends from the front side of the standby ramps 19 & 20 to between 10 and 45 degrees beyond the bottom of the standby roll 33 where the origin of the angle is the axial center of the standby roll 33.

[0028] Axial center, when used herein to refer to a location on a cylindrically shaped body or opening refers to the center when viewed in the axial direction, including a line extending in both axial directions. For instance, the axial center of a roll would be at the center when viewed from the axial direction. The axial center, when used to define planes extends along the axis of the referenced body. For instance, a plane defined by the axial center of a roll would pass through the center of the roll when viewed in the axial direction and contain the axis of the roll in the axial direction.

[0029] In FIG. 2 is a side sectioned view of the apparatus 10 with angle A and plane B marked for reference. Angle A originates at the axial center of the standby roll 33 and denotes the angle of the axis or axial center of the active roll 31 above the horizontal plane relative to the axis or axial center of the standby roll 33. Plane B is the plane that intersects the axis and axial center of the standby roll 33 and the axis and axial center of the active roll 31. Angle A also represents the angle of Plane B above the horizontal plane. The standby ramps 19 & 20 preferably extend forward for a distance in a direction substantially parallel to plane B. When used herein, substantially indicates two values that are ideally the same, but could vary up to ten percent from one another. The parallel extensions assist in guiding the standby roll 33 to the pins 21 & 23 and preferably extend in the parallel direction for at least half the distance between the axial center of the standby roll 33 and the axial center of the active roll 31. In some embodiments, the parallel extensions extend in the parallel direction for 30 to 50 percent of the distance between the axial center of the standby roll 33 and the axial center of the active roll 31.

[0030] In FIG. 4 is a side sectioned view of the pin 21 sectioned through the axial center of the pin 21 along plane B or in a plane parallel to plane B. When pin 21 is the same diameter as the axial hole 32, plane B will pass through the axial center of the pin 21. If pin 21 is a smaller diameter than the axial hole 32, a parallel plane above plane B will pass through the axial center of the pin. Pin 21 is cylindrical with an axial direction roughly parallel to the standby roll 33 or active roll 31. The roll engagement end 41 of the pin 21 extends through right wall 13 with a base 43 disposed within housing 22. The base 43 has a larger diameter than the end of pin 21 outside of the housing 22 to keep the pin from inadvertently falling out of the housing 22. The base 43 could optionally use another means for retention, such as an arm parallel to the right wall 13. While not shown, pin 21 ideally has a means to prevent rotation relative to the right wall 13, which could include a notch in the pin 21 and a corresponding protrusion in the housing 22 or right wall 13 or another means. Between the pin 21 and the housing 22 is a spring 25 that causes a force in the axial direction on the pin, pushing the pin through the opening in the right wall 13 towards the location of the active roll 31.

[0031] The end of pin 21 in the direction of the location of the active roll 31 has an angled face 42 oriented towards the axial center of the standby roll 33. The angled face 42 of the pin 21 allows the standby roll 33 to be used to push the pin 21 in the axial direction and compress the spring 25. Pin 23 and housing 24 are a mirror image of pin 21 and housing 22 and are therefore not reproduced herein. Housing 24 contains a spring that is substantially identical to spring 25 disposed between the inside of housing 24 and an end of the pin 23.

[0032] When pins 21 and 23 are fully extended (i.e. when the spring 25 is fully extended), the distance between the roll engagement end 41 of pin 21 and the corresponding end of pin 23 is less than the axial length of a standard roll. When the pins 21 and 23 are fully compressed (i.e. when the spring 25 is fully compressed), the distance between the roll engagement end 41 of pin 21 and the corresponding end of pin 23 is greater than the axial length of a standard roll.

[0033] A user can use the apparatus 10 by initially placing one or more rolls in the roll holding area through the top of the apparatus. Gravity will cause the first roll placed in the roll holding area to fall into the standby roll position, making that roll the standby roll 33. The standby roll 33 can then be grasped through the gap 17 and pulled forward with its axial center moved roughly along plane B. Because the pins 21 & 23 have an angled face in the direction of the axial center of the standby roll, the sides of the standby roll 33 will push the pins 21 & 23 outward in the axial direction. Once the axial center of the axial hole 32 is moved substantially over the axial centers of the pins 21 & 23, the roll is no longer pushing on the pins 21 & 23 and they snap back inward in the axial direction. At this point, the standby roll 33 is now the active roll 31. Once the standby roll 33 is moved, the next roll 34 falls downward onto the standby ramps 19 & 20 and becomes the new standby roll.

[0034] A user can then use the toilet tissue as normally from the active roll 31, generally pulling in the downward direction to dispense toilet tissue. When the active roll 31 is depleted, only the tube at the center of the roll remains. To remove the expended tube, a user grasps the tube and pulls in the forward direction roughly along plane B. When a user pulls in this direction, the axial hole 32 in the tube pushes the pins 21 & 23 outwardly in their axial direction, until the tube is removed. Once the depleted tube is removed, the pins 21 & 23 snap inward in the axial direction. To refill the active roll position, a user then grasps the standby roll 33 and repeats the above process.

[0035] The angle A between the horizontal plane and plane B is significant to the operation of the apparatus 10. Angle A can be between 0 and 60 degrees but is ideally between and including 10 to 35 degrees. In some embodiments, angle A is between and including 15 to 30 degrees. In other embodiments, angle A is between and including 20 to 25 degrees.

[0036] Pins 21 & 23 are located so that their axial centers intersect plane B or a plane parallel to plane B. Pins 21 & 23 are angled substantially in the direction facing the axial center of the standby roll 33 so that plane B or a plane parallel to plane B bisects pins 21 & 23. If pins 21 & 23 are not symmetrical, plane B would not necessarily bisect them, but the direction of the angled side should be roughly along the planar direction towards the axial center of the standby roll 33. While the angled face of the pins 21 & 23 is ideally bisected by plane B or a plane parallel to plane B, the angled face is still effective if only roughly positioned to face the axial center of the standby roll 33. The angled faces may be oriented plus or minus 45 degrees from plane B and still maintain their effectiveness.

[0037] In FIGS. 5-9 is a second embodiment of a pin 121. In FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pin 121 showing an angled end 142 that cuts partially through the full diameter of the pin 121 on its roll engagement end 241. The angled end 142 preferably only transverses partially through the diameter of the pin 121, extending from the base that would be flush with the inner surface of the right wall 13 and extending upward for a lateral distance of between and including 50 to 100 percent of the diameter of the roll engagement end 141 of the pin 121. The base 143 may have a second, larger diameter for retention that is not relevant to the location and size of the angled end 142. When referring to the pin 121 or any embodiment thereof, the term base or bottom refers to the end disposed in or near the housing. The terms upward or top refer to the pin engagement end 141, the front refers to the lateral direction which the angled end 142 faces and the side refers to a lateral direction 90 degrees from the front.

[0038] In FIG. 6 is a side view of the pin 121, viewed from a direction normal to plane B. In FIG. 7 is a front view of the pin 121, viewed from the axial center of the standby roll 33 and in plane B. FIG. 8 is a top view of the pin 121 viewed from the axial direction of the pin from the roll engagement end 141. In FIG. 9 is an alternative perspective view of the pin 121 with the angled face 142 oriented downwardly at a possible value of angle A below the horizontal plane. The angled face 142 can be pushed by the rolls to displace the pin 121 axially, but once the pin 121 is located within the axial center 32 of a roll, the axial center 32 contacts the rounded surface of the pin 121, allowing the roll to rotate freely.

[0039] In FIGS. 10-14 is a third embodiment of a pin 221. In FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pin 221 showing an angled end 242 that cuts partially through the full diameter of the pin 221 on the roll engagement end 241. The angled face 242 preferably only transverses partially through the diameter of the pin 221, extending from the base that would be flush with the inner surface of the right wall 13 and extending upward for a lateral distance of between and including 50 to 100 percent of the diameter of the roll engagement end 241 of the pin 221. The base 243 may have a second, larger diameter for retention that is not relevant to the location and size of the angled face 242.

[0040] In FIG. 11 is a side view of the pin 221, viewed from a direction normal to plane B. In FIG. 12 is a front view of the pin 221, viewed from the axial center of the standby roll 33 and in plane B. FIG. 13 is a top view of the pin 221 viewed from the axial direction of the pin from the roll engagement end 241. In FIG. 14 is an alternative perspective view of the pin 221 with the angled face 242 oriented downward at a possible value of angle A below the horizontal plane. The angled face 242 can be pushed by the rolls to displace the pin 221 axially, but once the pin 221 is located within the axial center 32 of a roll, the axial center 32 contacts the rounded surface of the pin 221, allowing the roll to rotate freely.

[0041] Pin 221 is shorter in the axial direction than pin 121, allowing for an angled face with a lower angle from the inner surface of the right wall 13 than pin 121. A shorter pin and shallower angle are preferable for reducing the amount of force needed to axially displace the pins, but it can limit the amount of rounded surface area for the axial center 32 of the rolls to engage. If the spring rate of spring 25 is reduced, a longer pin and larger angle can be used without preventing axial displacement of the pins.

[0042] The angled face of the pins can also be defined by the angle of the angled face relative to the radial direction of the standby roll 33. In the second embodiment of the pin 121, the angle between the angled face 142 and the radial direction of the standby roll 33 is denoted by angle C and in the third embodiment of the pin 221, the angle between the angled face 242 and the radial direction of the standby roll 33 is denoted by angle D. In the second embodiment of the pin 121, angle C is approximately 35 degrees and in the third embodiment of the pin 221, angle D is approximately 25 degrees. In some embodiments, angle C is between and including 30 to 80 degrees. In other embodiments, angle D is between and including 5 to 30 degrees. Angles C and D are preferably between 20 and 45 degrees. While the angled faces of the pins have been shown as substantially flat in the disclosed embodiments, they may also be curved in one or more plane.

[0043] In FIGS. 15-17 is a fourth embodiment of the angled roll holding pins 321 that has a largely triangular cross section, an integral pivot pin 351, an integral spring arm 352 and an integral stop 343. The fourth embodiment of the pin 321 can be mounted to a housing about the axial ends of the pivot pin 351, allowing the pin 321 to rotate relative to the housing about the axis of the pivot pin 351. The spring arm 352 exerts a force on the pin 321, causing the side of the pin with the angled face 342 to exit the housing. The spring arm 352 can push against a portion of the housing and is configured to compress when the pin 321 is depressed. The pin 321 is stopped at in its extended position by one or more stops 343 that engage a portion of the housing to stop the pin's rotation. The angled face 342 may be configured similarly to angle C and angle D in the previous embodiments.

[0044] In FIG. 17 is an alternative perspective view of the pin 321 with the angled face 342 oriented downwardly a possible value of angle A below the horizontal plane. The angled face 342 can be pushed by the rolls to rotate the pin 321 about the axis of pivot pin 351, but once the pin 321 is located within the axial center 32 of a roll, the axial center 32 contacts the sides of the pin 321, allowing the roll to rotate freely. The sides of the pin 321 can alternatively be rounded and the other embodiments of pins may use a similar mechanism for rotation and spring action as this pin 321.

[0045] The pins may also be mounted on arms that rotate or bend in outwardly from their resting position. The use of arms could eliminate the need for springs and simplify the manufacture of the apparatus. Even if mounted on arms, the pins would ideally retain the angled face geometry of the presented embodiments.

[0046] What has been described is an apparatus for holding and dispensing toilet tissue and a method of using the apparatus. In this disclosure, there is shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, but, as aforementioned, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein.

Claims

1. A toilet tissue holding and dispensing apparatus for toilet tissue rolls with a hollow center in the axial direction, comprising: a housing with at least an active roll position and a standby roll position; where a first toilet tissue roll is capable of being held in the standby roll position by a platform fixed to the housing and extending at least partially beneath the first toilet tissue roll; where a second toilet tissue roll is capable of being held in the active roll position by a first movable pin mounted to the housing and capable of movement relative to the housing; where the axis of the first toilet tissue roll, when held in the standby roll position, and the axis of the second toilet tissue roll, when held in the active roll position, are within and define a plane B; where the angle between plane B and a horizontal plane is defined by angle A; and where angle A is between 0 and 60 degrees.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is further comprised of a second movable pin that is a mirror image of the first movable pin.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first movable pin and second movable pin: are attached to substantially opposite sides of the housing; have a roll engagement end closest to one another and a base end furthest from one another; and have an extended position and a retracted position, where the roll engagement ends of the first movable pin and second movable pin are closer to one another in the extended position than when in the retracted position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the roll engagement end of said first movable pin and second movable pin are each further comprised of a substantially flat face, where said face is angled relative to the radial direction of the first toilet tissue roll and defined by angle C, and where C is between and including 5 to 80.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said faces on the first movable pin and second movable pin are oriented substantially towards the axis of the first toilet tissue roll.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said platform is further comprised of two ramps fixed to opposite sides of the housing with a gap disposed between the ramps.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein angle A is between and including 10 to 35 degrees.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein angle A is between and including 15 to 30 degrees.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein angle A is between and including 20 to 25 degrees.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein angle C is between and including 5 to 30 degrees.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein angle C is between and including 30 to 80 degrees.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein angle C is between 20 and 45 degrees.

13. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a portion of said ramps is parallel to plane B.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the length of the portion of said ramps parallel to plane B is 50 percent or greater than the distance between the axes of the first toilet tissue roll when in the standby roll position and the second toilet tissue roll when in the active roll position.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the length of the portion of said ramps parallel to plane B is 30 to 50 percent of the distance between the axes of the first toilet tissue roll when in the standby roll position and the second toilet tissue roll when in the active roll position.

16. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein plane B bisects said first movable pin and second movable pin.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first movable pin and second movable pin are further comprised of a cylindrical portion and capable of movement in their axial direction, each coupled to a spring tending to cause said first movable pin and said second movable pin to move towards their extended position.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first movable pin and second movable pin are each further comprised of a pivot pin mounted to an edge of their respective faces, rotatably mounted to the housing about said pivot pins, each coupled to a spring tending to cause said first movable pin and said second movable pin to move towards their extended position.

19. A method of dispensing toilet tissue rolls with a hollow center in the axial direction, comprising the steps of: providing a housing with at least an active roll position, a standby roll position and a roll storage position; where a user adds toilet tissue rolls to the roll storage portion; where the first roll added to the roll storage portion falls through an open bottom in the roll storage portion and into the standby roll position; where a user grasps the toilet tissue roll in the standby position and pulls at an upward angle to displace pins with a spring loaded means attached on opposite sides of the housing; where a user continues pulling the toilet tissue roll at an upward angle so that the hollow center of the toilet tissue roll is substantially centered over the pins, the spring loaded means displacing the pins into the hollow center, placing said toilet tissue roll in the active roll position; and where the upward angle is between and including 10 to 35 degrees above the horizontal plane.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps: where a user dispenses toilet tissue from the toilet tissue roll in the active roll position by pulling generally downward on the first toilet tissue roll to unroll portions of toilet tissue; when the toilet tissue of the toilet tissue roll in the active position is depleted, where a user grasps the depleted toilet tissue roll and pulls at an upward angle of 10 to 35 degrees above the horizontal plane to remove the depleted toilet tissue roll; and where the user grasps a second toilet tissue roll that has fallen into the standby roll position and proceeds to move said toilet tissue roll from the standby roll position to the active roll position.