US20200268220A1

US20200268220A1 - Upright paper towel holder

Info

Publication number: US20200268220A1
Application number: US16/282,311
Authority: US
Inventors: Tain-Boa Hong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-22
Filing date: 2019-02-22
Publication date: 2020-08-27

Abstract

An upright paper towel holder includes a base, a main body, an elastic body and a lift head. The main body has a lower end portion, an upper end portion and a mounting portion. The lower end portion is connected to the base such that the main body is erected on the base. The mounting portion is connected to the upper end portion. The elastic body is disposed on the mounting portion. The lift head is disposed on the mounting portion of the main body and is capable of reciprocating movement relative to the main body. The lift head is located above the elastic body. When the lift head is pressed down, the lift head abuts against the elastic body, such that the height of the elastic body is decreased, the outer diameter of the elastic body is increased, and the roll of paper towels is securely fixed.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a paper towel holder, and more particularly to an upright paper towel holder that can be used to position a roll of paper towels in an upright position and to facilitate the tearing off a piece of paper towel by a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Conventional roll paper towels are connected through continuous break points. Therefore, when a user wants to use the paper towels, the user can pull the paper towels to a predetermined length according to needs, and the paper towels can be torn by a certain amount to avoid waste. Conventional upright paper towel holder enables a roll of paper towels to be positioned in an upright position and to facilitate the tearing off a piece of paper towel by a user. However, when the user tears off a piece of paper towel from the upright paper towel holder with one hand, the entire roll of paper towels is easily pulled and rotated on the upright paper towel holder, so that the paper towel cannot be torn smoothly. Accordingly, the user often needs to hold the roll of paper towels with another hand in order to smoothly tear the paper towel, thereby causing inconvenience to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In response to the above-referenced technical inadequacies, the present disclosure provides an upright paper towel holder for fixing a roll of paper towels in position according to needs, so that the roll of paper towels cannot be rotated, and the paper towels can be smoothly torn, thereby simplifying the tearing operation with the upright paper towel holder.
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an upright paper towel holder which includes a base, a main body, an elastic body and a lift head. The main body is an elongated frame, and the main body has a lower end portion, an upper end portion and a mounting portion. The lower end portion and the upper end portion are located at two opposite ends of the main body, the lower end portion of the main body is connected to the base such that the main body is erected on the base. The mounting portion is connected to the upper end portion, and the main body allows a roll of paper towels to be sleeved thereon. The elastic body is disposed on the mounting portion of the main body. The lift head is disposed on the mounting portion of the main body and is capable of reciprocating movement relative to the main body. The lift head is located above the elastic body. When the lift head is pressed down, the lift head abuts against the elastic body, such that the height of the elastic body is decreased, the outer diameter of the elastic body is increased, and the roll of paper towels is securely fixed.
Therefore, the upright paper towel holder of the present disclosure includes the base, the main body, the elastic body and the lift head. The elastic body and the lift head are disposed on the mounting portion of the main body, and the lift head is located above the elastic body. When the user wants to tear off a piece of paper towel, the user can press down the lift head to enable the lift head to abut against the elastic body. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the elastic body is increased, and the elastic body can be engaged with the inner tube of the roll of paper towels, such that the roll of paper towels cannot be rotated, and the user can smoothly tear off a piece of paper towel. That is, when the user operates the upright paper towel holder of the present disclosure, the user only needs to press down the lift head to enable the lift head to abut against the elastic body and to fix the roll of paper towels in position, then tear off a desired length of paper towel. Accordingly, the fixing operation of the roll of paper towels is simple and easy.
These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings and their captions, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an upright paper towel holder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembled view of the upright paper towel holder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the upright paper towel holder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the upright paper towel holder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of region VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing two hook bodies being respectively fastened to two engaging slots according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the upright paper towel holder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the drawings indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”. Titles or subtitles can be used herein for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present disclosure.
The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meanings in the art. In the case of conflict, the present document, including any definitions given herein, will prevail. The same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Alternative language and synonyms can be used for any term(s) discussed herein, and no special significance is to be placed upon whether a term is elaborated or discussed herein. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given herein. Numbering terms such as “first”, “second” or “third” can be used to describe various components, signals or the like, which are for distinguishing one component/signal from another one only, and are not intended to, nor should be construed to impose any substantive limitations on the components, signals or the like.
Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, the present disclosure discloses an upright paper towel holder which includes a base 1, a main body 2, an elastic body 3 and a lift head 4.
The base 1 has a stable structure and can be placed on a table or the like, such that the upright paper towel holder can be placed in an upright position. In the present embodiment, the base 1 is circular, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The shape of the base 1 can be changed depending on actual requirements.
The main body 2 is an elongated frame, and the main body 2 allows a roll of paper towels to be sleeved thereon. When the roll of paper towels is mounted on the upright paper towel holder of the present embodiment, an inner tube of the roll of paper towels can be sleeved around the main body 2. The main body 2 has a lower end portion 21, an upper end portion 22 and a mounting portion 23. The lower end portion 21 and the upper end portion 22 are located at two opposite ends of the main body 2. The lower end portion 21 of the main body 2 is connected to the base 1 such that the main body 2 is erected on the base 1. The lower end portion 21 of the main body 2 can be connected to the base 1 by means of engagement, welding or screwing, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
In the present embodiment, two opposite sides of the main body 2 are curved, and an inside of the main body 2 has at least one perforation 24. The main body 2 has a rectangular cross section, and four corners of the main body 2 each form an inclined surface 25 as shown in FIG. 7, so that the cross-sectional shape of the main body 2 is closer to a circle or an ellipse. Accordingly, when the main body 2 is inserted into the inner tube of the roll of paper towels, the inclined surfaces 25 can be appropriately contacted with the inner tube of the roll of paper towels to increase the friction with the inner tube.
The mounting portion 23 is connected to the upper end portion 22, and the mounting portion 23 can be used to mount the elastic body 3 and the lift head 4. The mounting portion 23 has a first cylinder 231 that may be integrally formed with the upper end portion 22. The first cylinder 231 may have a hollow cylindrical structure and include a plurality of engaging slots 232. In the present embodiment, the first cylinder 231 has two engaging slots 232, and the two engaging slots 232 are located at two opposite sides of the first cylinder 231.
The elastic body 3 is a silicone elastic body or a rubber elastic body. The elastic body 3 has elasticity. When the elastic body 3 is pressed, an outer diameter of the elastic body 3 is increased since a side wall of the elastic body 3 expands outwardly. The elastic body 3 is disposed on the mounting portion 23 of the main body 2. When a roll of paper towels is mounted on the upright paper towel holder of the present embodiment, the inner tube of the roll of paper towels can also be sleeved around the elastic body 3.
In the present embodiment, the elastic body 3 is a hollow sphere and has a through hole 31, and the through hole 31 penetrates an upper end and a lower end of the elastic body 3. The through hole 31 of the elastic body 3 is geometrically fitted to the mounting portion 23 of the main body 2. The through hole 31 of the elastic body 3 can be sleeved around the first cylinder 231 of the mounting portion 23, such that the elastic body 3 can be disposed on the mounting portion 23 of the main body 2.
An outer surface of the elastic body 3 further has a plurality of grooves 32. The grooves 32 are spaced apart from each other. The grooves 32 extend from the upper end to the lower end of the elastic body 3, respectively. The grooves 32 are configured to increase an anti-slip effect, such that the elastic body 3 has a better fixing effect to the roll of paper towels. An outer diameter D of the elastic body 3 may range from 38 mm to 42 mm Preferably, the outer diameter D of the elastic body 3 is 39 mm.
The lift head 4 can be disposed on the mounting portion 23 of the main body 2 and can reciprocate relative to the main body 2. The lift head 4 is located above the elastic body 3. The lift head 4 allows a user to conveniently lift the upright paper towel holder. When the user presses the lift head 4, the lift head 4 abuts against the upper end of the elastic body 3, such that the elastic body 3 is pressed by the lift head 4. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the elastic body 3 is increased, and the elastic body 3 can be engaged with the inner tube of the roll of paper towels, such that the roll of paper towels cannot be rotated. When the elastic body 3 is pressed, the height H of the elastic body 3 is decreased and the outer diameter D of the elastic body 3 is increased. Preferably, the height H of the elastic body 3 is decreased by 5 mm to 9 mm, and the outer diameter D of the elastic body 3 is increased by 4 mm to 8 mm.
In the present embodiment, the lift head 4 has a lift head portion 41 and a second cylinder 42. An upper end of the lift head portion 41 may be a curved surface which is convenient for a user to press. The second cylinder 42 is connected to a lower end of the lift head portion 41. The second cylinder 42 may be integrally formed with the lift head portion 41. The second cylinder 42 may have a hollow cylindrical structure, and the second cylinder 42 may be provided with a plurality of hook bodies 43. In the present embodiment, the second cylinder 42 is provided with two hook bodies 43, the two hook bodies 43 are located at two opposite sides of the second cylinder 42, and both of the two hook bodies 43 are elastic fasteners. As shown in FIG. 8, the hook bodies 43 are configured to be fastened to the engaging slots 232, respectively. Each of the hook bodies 43 is configured to reciprocate in the corresponding engaging slot 232 along a predetermined path L. The length of the predetermined path L may range from 5 mm to 15 mm Preferably, the length of the predetermined path L is 9 mm.
In the present embodiment, each of the hook bodies 43 is formed at a lower end of an elastic arm 44, and an upper end of the elastic arm 44 is connected to the second cylinder 42, such that the lower end of the elastic arm 44 and the corresponding hook body 43 can swing elastically. When the second cylinder 42 of the lift head 4 is inserted into the first cylinder 231 of the main body 2, the hook bodies 43 are respectively fastened to the engaging slots 232, such that the lift head 4 is disposed on the mounting portion 23 of the main body 2, and the lift head 4 can move up and down.
Referring to FIG. 9, the upright paper towel holder of the present embodiment is available for a roll of paper towels 100 to be mounted thereon. The inner tube 101 of the roll of paper towels 100 can be sleeved around the main body 2 and the elastic body 3, and the roll of paper towels 100 can be freely rotated to facilitate the user in obtaining the paper towel of the roll of paper towels 100. When the user wants to tear off a piece of paper towel, the user can press the lift head 4 to enable the lift head 4 to abut against the elastic body 3. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the elastic body 3 is increased, and the elastic body 3 can be engaged with the inner tube 101 of the roll of paper towels 100, such that the roll of paper towels 100 cannot be rotated, and the user can smoothly tear off a piece of paper towel.
In conclusion, the upright paper towel holder of the present embodiment includes the base, the main body, the elastic body and the lift head. The elastic body and the lift head are disposed on the mounting portion of the main body, and the lift head is located above the elastic body. When the user wants to tear off a piece of paper towel, the user can press the lift head to enable the lift head to abut against the elastic body. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the elastic body is increased, and the elastic body can be engaged with the inner tube of the roll of paper towels, such that the roll of paper towels cannot be rotated, and the user can smoothly tear off a piece of paper towel. That is, when the user operates the upright paper towel holder of the present embodiment, the user only needs to press down the lift head to enable the lift head to abut against the elastic body and to fix the roll of paper towels in position. Accordingly, the fixing operation of the roll of paper towels is simple and easy.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An upright paper towel holder, comprising:

a base;

a main body, the main body being an elongated frame, and the main body having a lower end portion, an upper end portion and a mounting portion; wherein the lower end portion and the upper end portion are located at two opposite ends of the main body, the lower end portion of the main body is connected to the base such that the main body is erected on the base, the mounting portion is connected to the upper end portion, and the main body allows a roll of paper towels to be sleeved thereon;

an elastic body, the elastic body being disposed on the mounting portion of the main body; and

a lift head, the lift head being disposed on the mounting portion of the main body and being capable of reciprocating movement relative to the main body; wherein the lift head is located above the elastic body, and when the lift head is pressed down, the lift head abuts against the elastic body, such that the height of the elastic body is decreased, the outer diameter of the elastic body is increased, and the roll of paper towels is securely fixed.

2. The upright paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a rectangular cross section, and four corners of the main body each form an inclined surface.

3. The upright paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion has a first cylinder, and the first cylinder has a plurality of engaging slots; the elastic body is a hollow sphere, the elastic body has a through hole, and the through hole penetrates an upper end and a lower end of the elastic body; the through hole of the elastic body is geometrically fitted to the first cylinder of the mounting portion; the lift head has a lift head portion and a second cylinder; wherein the second cylinder is connected to a lower end of the lift head portion, the second cylinder is provided with a plurality of hook bodies, the second cylinder of the lift head is inserted into the first cylinder of the main body, and the hook bodies are respectively fastened to the engaging slots; each of the hook bodies is configured to reciprocate in the corresponding engaging slot along a predetermined path, and the length of the predetermined path ranges from 5 mm to 15 mm.

4. The upright paper towel holder according to claim 3, wherein each of the hook bodies is formed at a lower end of an elastic arm, and an upper end of the elastic arm is connected to the second cylinder.

5. The upright paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the elastic body has a plurality of grooves, the grooves are spaced apart from each other, and the grooves extend from the upper end to the lower end of the elastic body, respectively.

6. The upright paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the elastic body ranges from 38 mm to 42 mm.

7. The upright paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the elastic body is 39 mm.

8. The upright paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein when the elastic body is pressed, the height of the elastic body is decreased by 5 mm to 9 mm, and the outer diameter of the elastic body is increased by 4 mm to 8 mm.

9. The upright paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is a hollow sphere, the elastic body has a through hole, the through hole penetrates an upper end and a lower end of the elastic body, and the through hole of the elastic body is geometrically fitted to the mounting portion of the main body.

10. The upright paper towel holder according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is a silicone elastic body or a rubber elastic body.