Combined spray bottle and paper towel holder

Details Combined spray bottle and paper towel holder Combined spray bottle and paper towel holder

1999-12-06

2001-04-17

Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)

Dispensing

Combined

C242S422500, C222S383100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06216920

ABSTRACT:

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a combined spray bottle and paper towel holder that is useful in all fields where liquid is to be sprayed and then wiped off with a paper towel.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Combined spray bottles and paper towel holders are conventional. The advantages of combining a spray bottle and a paper towel include having two items as a single unit. Whenever the cleaning fluid is sprayed, paper towels are needed to mop up the liquid. An advantage of combining a spray bottle with a paper towel as a single unit is that one hand can be used to hold both the paper towels and the spray bottle, thus freeing the other hand to wipe up the spray with a towel removed or torn from the towel holder. Designs for a combined spray bottle and paper towel holder are exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 307,843 and 363,214. The present inventor has also received a design patent for such a device, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 406,976.
What is needed is a combined spray bottle and paper towel holder that permits a user to tear paper towels from a paper towel roll, is easy to assemble and repair, and prevents the paper towel roll from becoming frayed and/or wet before the towels are torn from the roll.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel combined spray bottle and paper towel holder including a tensioner that permits paper towels to be torn from the paper towel roll, as well as a flange, situated between the shaft and the base, which prevents the bottom edge of the paper towel roll from contacting the base when the combined device is fully assembled. The tensioner of the novel combined spray bottle and paper towel holder is releasably attached to the elongated shaft of the device, thereby providing for both easy assembly of the device and repair of the tensioner, when necessary.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The combined spray bottle and paper towel holder of the present invention comprises a hollow body having an elongated shaft, a threaded screw-top, a grip, a base attached to an end of the elongated shaft, a flange and first and second attachment locations; and a tensioner.
Preferably, the elongated shaft is a tube whose outer diameter is smaller than the diameter of a cardboard support tube inside a roll of paper towels, and whose length exceeds that of the support tube of the type used on the inside of a roll of paper towels. The elongated shaft is able to be inserted into the support tube of a roll of paper towels. Further, the elongated shaft is able to act as a reservoir for the liquid to be sprayed.
A portion of the spray bottle between the elongated shaft and the end of the spray-bottle farthest from the base includes a grip to assist a user in holding the combined spray bottle and paper towel holder even when it includes a full reservoir of fluid and a complete roll of paper towels. The end of the spray bottle farthest from the base includes a threaded screw-top.
The diameter of the base is larger than that of the elongated shaft. Further, the base of the spray bottle is hollow and also acts as a reservoir. The support tube inside the roll of paper towels rests on an annular flange. The paper towel roll rotates relative to the flange as sheets of towel are pulled from the roll. The flange supports the paper towel roll and separates it from the base. The flange prevents the edge of the paper towel roll nearest the base from becoming frayed and/or wet as it rotates.
A tensioner is provided to keep the paper towels from unfolding from the roll. The tensioner also presses against the roll of paper towels and creates a shearing effect when a towel is torn from the roll.
An elastic band or strap applies pressure against the outer edge of the paper towel roll. The sheath encircling the strap may roll, allowing the paper towel roll to be pulled. When a sheet of towel is pulled hard, the paper towel tears along its perforation at a point between the tensioner and the free end of the paper towel.


REFERENCES:
patent: D. 307843 (1990-05-01), Parshall
patent: D. 363214 (1995-10-01), Parola
patent: D. 406976 (1999-03-01), Baggett
patent: 4012007 (1977-03-01), Cunningham
patent: 4436224 (1984-03-01), McInerny
patent: 4792102 (1988-12-01), Olson
patent: 5135179 (1992-08-01), Morano
patent: 5671872 (1997-09-01), Daniels, Jr.
patent: 5788136 (1998-08-01), Othman
patent: 5799895 (1998-09-01), Michaud et al.
patent: 5819989 (1998-10-01), Saraceni

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