US20150321812A1 - Paper towel/toilet paper roll protector - Google Patents

Paper towel/toilet paper roll protector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20150321812A1
US20150321812A1 US14/708,041 US201514708041A US2015321812A1 US 20150321812 A1 US20150321812 A1 US 20150321812A1 US 201514708041 A US201514708041 A US 201514708041A US 2015321812 A1 US2015321812 A1 US 2015321812A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
protector
paper
roll
inner orifice
inches
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/708,041
Inventor
Myra Equiene Booker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US14/708,041 priority Critical patent/US20150321812A1/en
Publication of US20150321812A1 publication Critical patent/US20150321812A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/38—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge
    • A47K10/3836—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge with roll spindles which are supported at one side
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D59/00—Plugs, sleeves, caps, or like rigid or semi-rigid elements for protecting parts of articles or for bundling articles, e.g. protectors for screw-threads, end caps for tubes or for bundling rod-shaped articles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K17/00—Other equipment, e.g. separate apparatus for deodorising, disinfecting or cleaning devices without flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers; Holders for toilet brushes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/21—Circular sheet or circular blank
    • Y10T428/218—Aperture containing

Definitions

  • the embodiments herein relate generally to household accessories, and more particularly, to an accessory for protecting the exposed edge of paper towels on a vertical dispenser.
  • vertical paper towel or toilet paper dispensers work by standing a roll of paper towels or toilet paper on one of its circular ends on a base of the vertical dispenser.
  • a rod that extends upwards from the base, and the rod is inserted through the center orifice in the roll, helping to secure the paper towels or toilet paper on the vertical dispenser.
  • the circular end opposite the one positioned on the base remains exposed. This exposed circular end may collect germs, bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants.
  • Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for protecting an upper exposed edge of a roll of paper products, such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser.
  • the device may include a substantially circular protector having an outer circumference and an inner orifice concentrically aligned with the outer circumference, the inner orifice being configured to align with a central opening in the roll of paper products.
  • the device may further include die cut triangles extending into the inner orifice, the die cut triangles configured to flex into a position to secure the protector in place.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in use.
  • FIG. 2 is a top profile view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a section detail view of one embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 5 - 5 in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a top profile view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a section view of one embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 10 - 10 in FIG. 6 .
  • the device of the present disclosure may be used to protect an exposed substantially circular outer edge of a roll of paper products, such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser and may comprise the following elements.
  • This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device.
  • the various elements of the protector configured to protect the exposed upper edge of a roll of paper products situated on a vertical dispenser of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only.
  • some embodiments of the device for protecting an exposed edge of a roll of paper products 20 such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser 22 of the present disclosure comprise a protector 10 having an inner orifice 12 , the inner orifice 12 being configured to align substantially concentrically with a central opening in a roll of paper products.
  • the protector 10 may be substantially circular, and the inner orifice 12 may be concentrically aligned with an outer circumference of the substantially circular protector 10 , resulting in the protector 10 having a disc-shape.
  • the inner orifice 12 may have a diameter sufficient to allow an upward extending central support rod of the dispenser 22 to pass therethrough, such that the protector 10 is held in place about the upward extending central support rod.
  • an alternate protector 14 may include an inner orifice with at least one die cut triangle 16 , such as a pair of die cut triangles 16 separated by triangular cutouts, wherein the die cut triangles 16 comprise scores 18 configured to allow the triangles 16 to flex up or down, as shown in FIG. 10 .
  • the triangles 16 may be configured to flex downward into the center orifice of the roll of paper products, wherein the triangles 16 engage with or press against the inner tube of the roll to secure the protector 14 in place.
  • the triangles 16 may flex upward, placing an amount of pressure on the upward extending central support rod, which may also aid in keeping the protector 14 in place.
  • the protector may have a size capable of protecting an entire upper exposed circular edge of a roll of paper products, such as a roll of paper towels or toilet paper, when the roll is situated on a vertical dispenser.
  • the protector may have a diameter of from about 51 ⁇ 2 inches to about 6 inches.
  • the inner orifice may have a size suitable for aligning with the central opening in a roll of paper towels and for engaging with a central support rod on a vertical paper towel dispenser.
  • the inner orifice may have a diameter of from about 11 ⁇ 2 inches to about 1 6/8 inches.
  • the distance from an outer circumference of the protector to an outer circumference of the inner orifice may be from about 2 inches to about 21 ⁇ 8 inches.
  • the dimensions of the protector and the inner orifice may be increased or decreased.
  • the protector may be made of any suitable material and, in embodiments, may be made of a washable material, such as plastic, or a disposable/recyclable material, such as cardboard.
  • the protector may be substantially smooth, such that the surface of the protector placed against the edge of the paper product does not rip, tear, or otherwise destroy the paper product.
  • a user may place a roll of paper towels or toilet paper onto a vertical dispenser. The user may then place the protector on the exposed upper, substantially circular edge. The paper product and dispenser may then be used as normal, with the protector preventing the upper edge of the paper product from becoming contaminated. When the paper product is completely depleted, the protector may be removed so that the inner cardboard core of the paper product roll may be removed from the vertical dispenser. The protector may then either be placed on a new roll of paper towels, washed by hand or in the dishwasher, or discarded.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Sanitary Thin Papers (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Machine Parts And Wound Products (AREA)

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for protecting an upper exposed edge of a roll of paper products, such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser. The device may include a substantially circular protector having an outer circumference and an inner orifice concentrically aligned with the outer circumference, the inner orifice being configured to align with a central opening in the roll of paper products. In some embodiments, the device may further include die cut triangles extending into the inner orifice, the die cut triangles configured flex into a position to secure the protector in place.

Description

    RELATED APPLICATION
  • This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 61/990,277 filed on May 8, 2014, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.
    • BACKGROUND
  • The embodiments herein relate generally to household accessories, and more particularly, to an accessory for protecting the exposed edge of paper towels on a vertical dispenser.
  • Typically, vertical paper towel or toilet paper dispensers work by standing a roll of paper towels or toilet paper on one of its circular ends on a base of the vertical dispenser. Sometimes, there is a rod that extends upwards from the base, and the rod is inserted through the center orifice in the roll, helping to secure the paper towels or toilet paper on the vertical dispenser. However, the circular end opposite the one positioned on the base remains exposed. This exposed circular end may collect germs, bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants.
  • Therefore, what is needed is an accessory configured to protect the exposed circular end of paper towels or toilet paper when a roll is placed on a vertical dispenser.
    • SUMMARY
  • Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for protecting an upper exposed edge of a roll of paper products, such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser. The device may include a substantially circular protector having an outer circumference and an inner orifice concentrically aligned with the outer circumference, the inner orifice being configured to align with a central opening in the roll of paper products. In some embodiments, the device may further include die cut triangles extending into the inner orifice, the die cut triangles configured to flex into a position to secure the protector in place.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
  • The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in use.
  • FIG. 2 is a top profile view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a section detail view of one embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a top profile view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a section view of one embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 6.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
  • In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications.
  • The device of the present disclosure may be used to protect an exposed substantially circular outer edge of a roll of paper products, such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser and may comprise the following elements. This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device.
  • 1. Protector
  • The various elements of the protector configured to protect the exposed upper edge of a roll of paper products situated on a vertical dispenser of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only.
  • By way of example, and referring to FIGS. 1-10, some embodiments of the device for protecting an exposed edge of a roll of paper products 20, such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser 22 of the present disclosure comprise a protector 10 having an inner orifice 12, the inner orifice 12 being configured to align substantially concentrically with a central opening in a roll of paper products. As shown in the Figures, the protector 10 may be substantially circular, and the inner orifice 12 may be concentrically aligned with an outer circumference of the substantially circular protector 10, resulting in the protector 10 having a disc-shape. The inner orifice 12 may have a diameter sufficient to allow an upward extending central support rod of the dispenser 22 to pass therethrough, such that the protector 10 is held in place about the upward extending central support rod.
  • In embodiments, an alternate protector 14 may include an inner orifice with at least one die cut triangle 16, such as a pair of die cut triangles 16 separated by triangular cutouts, wherein the die cut triangles 16 comprise scores 18 configured to allow the triangles 16 to flex up or down, as shown in FIG. 10. For example, the triangles 16 may be configured to flex downward into the center orifice of the roll of paper products, wherein the triangles 16 engage with or press against the inner tube of the roll to secure the protector 14 in place. Alternatively, the triangles 16 may flex upward, placing an amount of pressure on the upward extending central support rod, which may also aid in keeping the protector 14 in place.
  • In embodiments, the protector may have a size capable of protecting an entire upper exposed circular edge of a roll of paper products, such as a roll of paper towels or toilet paper, when the roll is situated on a vertical dispenser. For example, the protector may have a diameter of from about 5½ inches to about 6 inches. The inner orifice may have a size suitable for aligning with the central opening in a roll of paper towels and for engaging with a central support rod on a vertical paper towel dispenser. For example, the inner orifice may have a diameter of from about 1½ inches to about 1 6/8 inches. Thus, the distance from an outer circumference of the protector to an outer circumference of the inner orifice may be from about 2 inches to about 2⅛ inches. However, if necessary to protect various sized rolls of paper products and to be compatible with various vertical dispensers, the dimensions of the protector and the inner orifice may be increased or decreased.
  • The protector may be made of any suitable material and, in embodiments, may be made of a washable material, such as plastic, or a disposable/recyclable material, such as cardboard. The protector may be substantially smooth, such that the surface of the protector placed against the edge of the paper product does not rip, tear, or otherwise destroy the paper product.
  • To use the protector, a user may place a roll of paper towels or toilet paper onto a vertical dispenser. The user may then place the protector on the exposed upper, substantially circular edge. The paper product and dispenser may then be used as normal, with the protector preventing the upper edge of the paper product from becoming contaminated. When the paper product is completely depleted, the protector may be removed so that the inner cardboard core of the paper product roll may be removed from the vertical dispenser. The protector may then either be placed on a new roll of paper towels, washed by hand or in the dishwasher, or discarded.
  • Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

Claims (9)

What is claimed is:
1. A device for protecting an upper exposed edge of a roll of paper products situated on a vertical dispenser, the device comprising:
a substantially circular protector having an outer circumference and an inner orifice concentrically aligned with the outer circumference, the inner orifice being configured to align with a central opening in the roll of paper products.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one die cut triangle extending from the protector into the inner orifice, the die cut triangle configured to flex downward into a position to secure the protector in place.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one die cut triangle comprises at least one score configured to help the triangle flex without tearing.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the protector has a size suitable for covering an entire exposed upper edge of the roll of paper products.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein:
the protector has a diameter of from about 5½ inches to about 6 inches; and
the inner orifice has a diameter of from about 1½ inches to about 1 6/8 inches.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein a surface of the protector being positioned against the roll of paper products is substantially smooth to avoid damaging the paper product.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a reusable, washable material.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a disposable material.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the paper product is selected from the group consisting of a paper towel roll and a roll of toilet paper.
US14/708,041 2014-05-08 2015-05-08 Paper towel/toilet paper roll protector Abandoned US20150321812A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/708,041 US20150321812A1 (en) 2014-05-08 2015-05-08 Paper towel/toilet paper roll protector

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201461990277P 2014-05-08 2014-05-08
US14/708,041 US20150321812A1 (en) 2014-05-08 2015-05-08 Paper towel/toilet paper roll protector

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20150321812A1 true US20150321812A1 (en) 2015-11-12

Family

ID=54367172

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/708,041 Abandoned US20150321812A1 (en) 2014-05-08 2015-05-08 Paper towel/toilet paper roll protector

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US20150321812A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2317102A (en) * 1940-11-14 1943-04-20 Owens Illinois Glass Co Cotton dispenser
US20110297781A1 (en) * 2010-06-06 2011-12-08 Martin Jay Peters Shielding Device
US20130199965A1 (en) * 2012-02-04 2013-08-08 Brian J. Tibbels Display Ready Container

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2317102A (en) * 1940-11-14 1943-04-20 Owens Illinois Glass Co Cotton dispenser
US20110297781A1 (en) * 2010-06-06 2011-12-08 Martin Jay Peters Shielding Device
US20130199965A1 (en) * 2012-02-04 2013-08-08 Brian J. Tibbels Display Ready Container

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7951292B1 (en) Sink filter device
US20020070308A1 (en) Paper towel dispenser system
USD819291S1 (en) Bag supporting device
JP4060842B2 (en) Dispenser for web material
AU769620B2 (en) Counter-top paper towel holder
US20090200331A1 (en) Inner container of sheets to be dispensed
US20150321812A1 (en) Paper towel/toilet paper roll protector
US20160045082A1 (en) Disposable dispensing apparatus for paper towels
USD877531S1 (en) Liquid soap dispenser part
USD806431S1 (en) Garbage bag dispenser
US2514612A (en) Rim for tissue dispenser openings
US20160374522A1 (en) Apparatus for protecting and dispensing paper products
US20140061361A1 (en) String dispenser for dispensing string wound on a hollow core
WO2015036800A1 (en) Hygienic bottle cap
US20200130888A1 (en) Liquid product packaging caps
WO2018063219A1 (en) Paper product dispensing system
US10390663B2 (en) Towel protector
US9604491B2 (en) Sheet material dispenser for utensil item
US10035674B2 (en) Apparatus for protecting and dispensing paper products
US20130075293A1 (en) Packaging case
USD874846S1 (en) Liquid soap dispenser tube with checkvalve and two holed multi-sized bottle cap
US20180065795A1 (en) Method of folding gloves and dispensing thereafter
US20230172404A1 (en) Paper towel protective disk
KR200474336Y1 (en) Beverage container carrier
EP2674084B1 (en) Paper towel dispenser

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION