US20140027595A1

US20140027595A1 - Fresh Wipe Hammock

Info

Publication number: US20140027595A1
Application number: US13/951,638
Authority: US
Inventors: Bridget Hunsaker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-30
Filing date: 2013-07-26
Publication date: 2014-01-30

Abstract

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a device for suspending toiletry products such as a box of fresh wipes, an extra roll of toilet paper, etc, from an existing toilet paper roll holder. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fresh wipe hammock device is comprised of cloth and requires minimal assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/677,322 filed on Jul. 30, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a container for holding toiletry products, such as a box of fresh wipes, wherein said container may be suspended from an existing toilet paper roll holder.

BACKGROUND

Many bathrooms are cluttered with a variety of products, and space is oftentimes limited. Therefore, it is not always possible to store toiletry items, such as moist wipes, an extra roll of toilet paper, etc., in a convenient and accessible location. More specifically, individuals using a toilet may not be able to readily access such toiletry items without leaving the toilet area, which could be both cumbersome and frustrating.
Consequently, there exists in the art a long-felt need for a container capable of being removably suspended from an existing toilet paper roll holder and supporting toiletry products, such as a box of fresh wipes, an extra roll of toilet paper, etc. There also exists in the art a long felt need for a container that accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to install and use.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a container capable of (a) being removably suspended from an existing toilet paper roll holder without interfering with the operation of the same, and (b) supporting toiletry products, such as a box of fresh wipes, an extra roll of toilet paper, etc. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container comprises a pair of spaced apart side panels, a front panel, a back or rear panel, and a bottom, wherein each of said pair of spaced apart panels further comprise a first end with an opening therein for receipt of a toilet paper roll spindle, a second end and an elastic band.
The unique design of the fresh wipe hammock container of the present invention is useful for conveniently storing toiletry products, such as fresh wipes, an extra roll of toilet paper, etc, in close proximity to a toilet and without the need for installation tools. The fresh wipe hammock is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention installed on an existing toilet paper roll holder spindle.

FIG. 3. illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention installed on an existing toilet paper roll holder spindle and supporting a box of fresh wipes.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention installed on an existing toilet paper roll holder spindle and supporting a spare roll of toilet paper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the fresh wipe hammock container 100 of the present invention. Container 100 is preferably comprised of a pair of side panels 110, a front panel 130, a back panel 150, a bottom 170 and more than one band 190. Unless otherwise stated herein, each of the components of container 100 is preferably comprised of a cloth material such as cotton, polyester, or the like or a blend of such materials, and may come in a variety of colors, prints, designs to suit user preference and/or match existing bathroom decor. Notwithstanding, it is contemplated that other durable materials such as plastic, metal, wood and the like could also be used.
As best illustrated in FIG. 1, each of side panels 110 are generally rectangular in shape and are in generally parallel spaced apart relationship to one another. Each of side panels 110 are preferably comprised of a first end 112, a second end 115, an inboard surface 116 and an outboard surface 118. The overall length of side panels 110, as measured between first end 112 and second end 115, is preferably between 9′A and 10½ inches, though it is contemplated that other sizes could also be used provided that side panels 110 are long enough so as to not interfere with the roll of toilet paper 210 on prior art toilet paper roll holder 200 as further described below. The overall width of side panels 110, as measured between front panel 130 and back panel 150, is preferably between 3½ and 4½ inches, though it is contemplated that other sizes could also be used to accommodate user preference or a particular toiletry product, as explained more fully below. It is also contemplated that the width of side panels 110 could be tapered such that the width is narrower near first end 112 than at second end 115.
Each of side panels 110 further comprise a continuous opening 119 located near the first end 112, and extending between said inboard surface 116 and said outboard surface 118. As best illustrated in FIG. 2 and explained more fully below, opening 119 is for receipt of a toilet paper roll holder spindle 204. Opening 119 is preferably generally circular in shape with a diameter of between ½ and 2 inches, though it is contemplated that other shapes and/or sizes could also be employed provided that the same are capable of accommodating spindle 204. Each of side panels 110 also further comprise a band 190, such as a protective elastic band 190, attached to, or contained within, said side panel 110 and encircling or surrounding said opening 119 to add additional strength to side panel 110 and prevent the same from failing as container 100 is suspended from spindle 204. Elastic bands 190 also permit the container 100 to be more securely attached to prior art spindle 204, and prevent or reduce the likelihood that spindle 204 will become scratched or otherwise damaged.
As also best illustrated in FIG. 1, each of front panel 130 and back panel 150 are generally rectangular in shape, and are in generally parallel spaced apart relationship to one another and connected to, or integrally formed with side panels 110 to form a generally rectangular box with an opening 180 therein. Front panel 130 is further comprised of a outboard surface 132, top portion 134 and a bottom portion 136. The height of front panel 130, as measured between top portion 134 and bottom portion 136 is preferably between 3½ and 4½ inches, and the width of front panel 130, as measured between spaced apart side panels 110, is preferably between 5½ and 6½ inches. Likewise, back panel 150 is further comprised of an inboard surface 152, top portion 154 and a bottom portion 156. The height of back panel 150, as measured between top portion 154 and bottom portion 156 is preferably between 3½ and 4½ inches, and the width of back panel 130, as measured between spaced apart side panels 110, is preferably substantially the same as the width of front panel 130. Notwithstanding the forgoing, it is contemplated that other dimensions could be used for each of front panel 130 and back panel 150 provided that the heights of the same are sufficient to retain a toiletry product, and do not unduly interfere with the operation of prior art toilet paper roll holder 200, as described more fully below.
As previously mentioned, container device 100 further comprises a bottom 170. Bottom 170 is generally rectangular in shape and is connected to, or integrally formed with, one or more of the second ends 115 of side panels 110 and/or the bottom portions 136, 156 of front panel 130 and back panel 150, respectively. Stated differently, each of side panels 110, front panel 130, back panel 150 and bottom 170 form a generally rectangular box near the second end 115 of side panels 110 with an opening 180 therein for receipt of a toiletry product(s), such as fresh wipes 220 or an extra roll of toilet paper 210.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the container 100 of the present invention installed on an existing toilet paper roll holder spindle 204. More specifically, toilet paper roll holder 200 is comprised of a pair of spaced apart arms 202 for supporting spindle 204, which extends between, and is removably attached to, each of said arms 202. The spindle 204 is further comprised of a first end 206 and a second end 208 for engaging openings in each of said arms 202, and supports a prior art toilet paper roll 210 which is permitted to rotate about said spindle 204. Alternatively spindle 204 is permitted to rotate within said arms 202. The structure and function of toilet paper roll holder 200 and its various components are well known in the art.
Having now described the overall structure of container 100, the use and usefulness of the same will now be summarized. A user (not shown) desiring to support additional toiletry products, such as wipes 220 or an extra toilet paper roll 210, in relatively close proximity to a toilet (not shown) would simple remove prior art spindle 204 from prior art toilet paper roll holder 200 and insert first end 206 of spindle 204 into the opening 119 in the first end 112 of one side panel 110. The user (not shown) could then install a toilet paper roll 210 onto the body of spindle 204 immediately adjacent the inboard surface 116 of side panel 110, and then insert the second end 208 of spindle 204 into the opening 119 in the first end 112 of the opposite side panel 110 such that toilet paper roll 210 is positioned along the body of spindle 204 and between each of side panels 110. In this manner, container device 100 can be suspended from a prior art toilet paper roll holder 200 as best illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the container 100 of the present invention installed on an existing toilet paper roll holder spindle 204 and supporting a box of fresh wipes 220. More specifically, fresh wipes 220 are positioned in opening 180 and supported by bottom 170, side panels 110, front panel 130 and back panel 150. Importantly, container 100 is sized so that there is sufficient clearance between fresh wipes 220 and the rotation of a full prior art toilet paper roll 210 about spindle 204 between side panels 210.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the container 100 of the present invention installed on an existing toilet paper roll holder spindle 204 and supporting an extra toilet paper roll 210. More specifically, the extra toilet paper roll 210 is positioned within opening 180, and supported by bottom 170, side panels 110, front panel 130 and back panel 150. Importantly, container 100 is sized so that there is sufficient clearance between the extra toilet paper roll 210 and the rotation of a full prior art toilet paper roll 210 about spindle 204 between side panels 210.
Consequently, the various embodiments of the hammock container 100 of the present invention described herein are useful for storing and/or dispensing toiletry products, such as fresh wipes, toilet paper, etc. in close proximity to a toilet. The hammock container device can be attached to an existing toilet paper roll holder and does not require any installation tools. The container is small, compact and will easily fold up for storage. The container is also washable and, due to the elastic nature of bands 190, capable of accommodating a wide variety of different size spindles 204. Finally, the hammock container device 100 is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.
Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container capable of being suspended from a toilet paper roll spindle and comprising:

a pair of spaced apart side panels;

a front panel;

a back panel; and

a bottom, wherein each of said pair of spaced apart side panels further comprise a first end with an opening therein for receipt of said toilet paper roll spindle, a second end and a protective band around said opening.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels, the front panel, the back panel and the bottom form a receptacle for receipt of a toiletry product.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein said toiletry product is a plurality of wet wipes or a roll of toilet paper.

4. The container of claim 2 wherein said toilet paper roll spindle further comprises a roll of toilet paper thereon and further wherein the length of each of said pair of spaced apart side panels is such that the use of said roll of toilet paper on said spindle does not interfere with the toiletry product stored in said receptacle.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein said protective band is comprised of an elastic material.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels and said bottom are integrally formed.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels, the front panel, the back panel and the bottom are integrally formed.

8. A container capable of being suspended from a toilet paper roll spindle and comprising:

a pair of spaced apart side panels with an opening therein, wherein each of said openings further comprise a protective band around the circumference of said opening;

a front panel;

a back panel; and

a bottom.

9. The container of claim 8 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels, the front panel, the back panel and the bottom form a receptacle for receipt of a toiletry product.

10. The container of claim 9 wherein said toiletry product is a plurality of wet wipes or a roll of toilet paper.

11. The container of claim 9 wherein said toilet paper roll spindle further comprises a roll of toilet paper thereon and further wherein the length of each of said pair of spaced apart side panels is such that the use of said roll of toilet paper on said spindle does not interfere with the toiletry product stored in said receptacle.

12. The container of claim 8 wherein said protective band is comprised of an elastic material.

13. The container of claim 8 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels and said bottom are integrally formed.

14. The container of claim 8 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels, the front panel, the back panel and the bottom are integrally formed.

15. A wall mounted toiletry product holder comprising:

a pair of spaced apart arms;

a spindle for supporting a roll of toilet paper positioned between and attached to said pair of spaced apart arms;

a pair of spaced apart side panels each with an opening therein,

a front panel;

a back panel; and

a bottom.

16. The wall mounted toiletry product holder of claim 15 wherein each of said openings further comprise a protective band around the circumference of said opening.

17. The wall mounted toiletry product holder of claim 15 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels are suspended from said spindle with a roll of toilet paper positioned along said spindle between each of said pair of spaced apart side panels.

18. The wall mounted toiletry product holder of claim 15 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels, the front panel, the back panel and the bottom form a receptacle for receipt of a second toiletry product.

19. The wall mounted toiletry product holder of claim 15 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels and said bottom are integrally formed.

20. The wall mounted toiletry product holder of claim 15 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels, the front panel, the back panel and the bottom are integrally formed.