Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Unwinding – With supply coil replenishment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-17
2001-11-13
Walsh, Donald P. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Unwinding
With supply coil replenishment
C242S598500, C312S034220
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315237
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to storing and dispensing rolled materials. Specifically, the present invention relates to unitary devices for simultaneously storing and dispensing toilet tissue.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use and manufacture of toilet tissue predates the widespread acceptance of indoor plumbing. Given the potentially embarrassing and unhygienic consequences of being caught short at inopportune times, it seems likely that the need to store extra quantities of toilet tissue became apparent shortly thereafter.
While the clean cylindrical form of the standard toilet tissue roll is proudly stacked and prominently stored in proximity to many public toilet facilities, its homely form has long been considered aesthetically unacceptable in the bathrooms of most private homes. From dainty crocheted covers to functional polystyrene “caddies”, countless approaches have been pursued to subtly and effectively conceal spare rolls from view, while retaining them at hand.
It should not be surprising that many of these approaches have made their way into the patent literature. The following are a few pertinent examples.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 364,059 to Merriweather is directed to a partition-mounted dual combined seat cover dispenser, toilet paper dispenser, and waste receptacle unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,359 to Butler sets forth a toilet roll receptacle adaptable for containing and normally concealing a single roll of toilet tissue. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 393,972 to Kato shows an apparently similar device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,938 to Butler is directed to a toilet paper roll holder for storing multiple rolls of toilet paper in a box-like enclosure. The enclosure can be mounted to a wall surface, or in a recess. All of the rolls are stored out of sight and with little danger of environmental contamination.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 257,082 to Williams shows a combined storage cabinet and paper roll dispenser. Both the storage and dispensing mechanisms are located behind a door.
The above examples show a variety of ways to either store or conceal rolls of toilet tissue. Unfortunately, the devices that provide storage, such as the Butler '938 patent, are relatively large and box-like, rendering them largely unsuitable for home use. On the other hand, the devices having a sleek, decorative appearance, such as those shown in the '359 patent to Butler and the '972 patent to Kato, fail to provide storage for rolls other than the roll in use.
It can thus be seen that the need exists for a toilet tissue storage and dispensing device that provides storage space for additional tissue while maintaining an attractive exterior appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A toilet tissue roll dispensing and storage apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a box member defining an interior volume capable of containing at least one roll of toilet tissue and having at least one opening. The apparatus also includes a door assembly, which has a movable door adapted to selectively cover the opening of the box member. A toilet tissue roll holding and dispensing mechanism is mounted on and exterior surface of the door.
The box member is adapted to be mounted on a wall having an interior space and an exterior surface. In an embodiment, the box member can be mounted in the interior space of wall, and the door assembly can be mounted on the exterior surface of the wall. If the wall is of a type constructed of at least two wall studs spaced apart from one another, and the box member can be mounted between the wall studs.
The roll holding and dispensing mechanism can include at least one bracket mounted to an exterior surface of the door, with a spindle supported by the bracket.
The roll holding and dispensing mechanism is constructed to the roll currently in use in a position substantially entirely outside a plane defined by the exterior surface of the wall. To that end, a recess can be provided in the door adjacent the roll holding and dispensing mechanism, whereby a portion of the roll on the holding mechanism is within the recess. The recess may be provided with a part-cylindrical shape.
In order to mount the apparatus, the door assembly can include an outer face frame with a mounting flange. The face frame can be secured coplanar with the exterior of the wall, whereby the box member is secured to the mounting flange. Alternatively, the door assembly can include a basic a door frame mounted between the door and the pre-mounted box member.
A method for assembling a toilet tissue roll dispensing and storage device is also provided. In a first step, a box member is provided that defines an interior space capable of containing at least one roll of toilet tissue and has at least one opening. Next, a movable door is provided. A toilet tissue roll holding and dispensing mechanism is then mounted on the exterior surface of the door. The door is then secured in a position to selectively cover the opening of the box member.
The box member can be installed between interior studs of a wall.
The foregoing will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art when taken into consideration with the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 249308 (1978-09-01), Williams
patent: D. 257082 (1980-09-01), Williams
patent: D. 300703 (1989-04-01), Miels
patent: D. 364059 (1995-11-01), Merriweather, Jr.
patent: D. 393972 (1998-05-01), Kato
patent: 2576526 (1951-11-01), Marchand
patent: 3171135 (1965-03-01), Polichio
patent: 3239295 (1966-03-01), Simon
patent: 3266742 (1966-08-01), Pena
patent: 3271090 (1966-09-01), Smithers
patent: 3279715 (1966-10-01), Vedvig
patent: 3295900 (1967-01-01), Kendall
patent: 4444359 (1984-04-01), Butler
patent: 5570938 (1996-11-01), Butler
patent: 5597133 (1997-01-01), Teague
patent: 319170 (1957-03-01), None
Burkhart Anne K.
Burkhart Patrick N.
Rivera William A.
Walsh Donald P.
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