Supports: cabinet structure – For sheet material
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-15
2001-10-02
Hansen, James O. (Department: 3636)
Supports: cabinet structure
For sheet material
C312S034400, C312S034700, C312S245000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296331
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates broadly to the field of dispensers for dispensing personal hygiene products, such as paper towels, toilet tissue and hand soap, in a public washroom. More specifically, this invention relates to a dispenser that is specifically designed to deter and escape damage from potential vandals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Vandalism in public restrooms is an increasingly serious problem for property owners, consumers and maintenance personnel in the United States and throughout the world. All too often, dispensers for paper towels, toilet tissue and hand soap such as those manufactured and sold by the assignee of this invention, Scott Paper Company, are targets for such activity. Paper towel dispensers, in particular, in some locations are regularly beaten, burned, defaced with graffiti, and pulled or pried off of the wall, rendering them inoperable for others. In addition, vandals will pull clumps of paper towels out of the dispenser, scattering them about the washroom or, even worse, stuffing them into toilets or sink fixtures.
Unfortunately, damaged or inoperative dispensers are expensive to replace, and, ironically, their replacements present attractive new targets to vandals once installed. Additionally, the institutions that suffer most from vandalism are often underfunded and in a poor position to be buying washroom fixtures and dispensers on a frequent basis.
A long and unfilled need exists for a public restroom dispenser that will deter and resist damage from vandalism and careless maintenance personnel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a public restroom dispenser that will deter and resist damage from vandalism and careless maintenance personnel.
In order to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, an improved vandal-resistant paper towel dispenser for public washrooms includes, according to a first aspect of the invention a system for storing and dispensing paper towels; and an outer housing for encasing the storing and dispensing system, the outer housing including a rear mounting surface that is adapted to be secured to a wall, and a shell-like forward surface, connected to the rear mounting surface, for protecting the storing and dispensing system from individuals who might have destructive intent, the shell-like forward surface being softly rounded to an extent that it is practically impossible to obtain a handhold on the top or sides of the outer housing, whereby a vandal will be prevented from grabbing the dispenser and pulling it off the wall.
According to a second aspect of the invention, an improved vandal-resistant paper towel dispenser for public washrooms includes a system for storing and dispensing paper towels; an outer housing for encasing the storing and dispensing system; an access door defined in the outer housing for loading paper towels into the dispenser; a concealed locking and release mechanism for opening the access door; and a decoy locking mechanism that is at least as visible than the concealed locking and release mechanism, whereby vandals intent on opening the dispenser will be confused.
According to a third aspect of the invention, an improved vandal-resistant washroom product dispenser for public washrooms includes a system for storing and dispensing a washroom product; and an outer housing for encasing the storing and dispensing means, the outer housing comprising a rear mounting surface that is adapted to be secured to a wall, and a shell-like forward surface, connected to the rear mounting surface, for protecting the storing and dispensing system from individuals who might have destructive intent, the shell-like forward surface being softly rounded to an extent that it is practically impossible to obtain a handhold on the top or sides of the outer housing, whereby a vandal will be prevented from grabbing the dispenser and pulling it off the wall.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 312369 (1990-11-01), De Luca et al.
patent: D. 332196 (1993-01-01), Hines
patent: D. 332889 (1993-02-01), Hines
patent: D. 354871 (1995-01-01), Frazier et al.
patent: 1339823 (1920-05-01), Harbaugh
patent: 1423336 (1922-07-01), Korittke
patent: 1568901 (1926-01-01), Mickey
patent: 2229596 (1941-01-01), Eilers
patent: 2560061 (1951-07-01), Agamaite, Jr.
patent: 2726825 (1955-12-01), Ziskin et al.
patent: 2883254 (1959-04-01), Bacca
patent: 2946636 (1960-07-01), Penney
patent: 3095249 (1963-06-01), Albrecht
patent: 3147051 (1964-09-01), Birr et al.
patent: 3222112 (1965-12-01), Bahnsen
patent: 3510055 (1970-05-01), Safford
patent: 3603519 (1971-09-01), Brown et al.
patent: 3797769 (1974-03-01), Tucker
patent: 3843218 (1974-10-01), Krueger et al.
patent: 3851941 (1974-12-01), Stebe
patent: 3865323 (1975-02-01), Stronge et al.
patent: 3869183 (1975-03-01), Frank, Jr.
patent: 3920297 (1975-11-01), Brandes
patent: 3971237 (1976-07-01), Rasmussen
patent: 3998308 (1976-12-01), Yeakley
patent: 4047775 (1977-09-01), Wolbrink
patent: 4143792 (1979-03-01), Rex
patent: 4223965 (1980-09-01), Palandrani
patent: 4383377 (1983-05-01), Crafton
patent: 4408811 (1983-10-01), Richardson et al.
patent: 4410221 (1983-10-01), Vallis et al.
patent: 4611768 (1986-09-01), Voss et al.
patent: 4641898 (1987-02-01), Horowitz et al.
patent: 4915257 (1990-04-01), Bailey
patent: 5014985 (1991-05-01), Capps
patent: 5125548 (1992-06-01), Perrin et al.
patent: 5154496 (1992-10-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 5183182 (1993-02-01), Comstock et al.
patent: 5255885 (1993-10-01), Iversen
patent: 250256 (1987-12-01), None
patent: 892041 (1944-03-01), None
Hansen James O.
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
LandOfFree
Vandal resistant washroom dispenser does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vandal resistant washroom dispenser, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vandal resistant washroom dispenser will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2615244