US3316040A

US3316040A - Storage unit for tissue rolls

Info

Publication number: US3316040A
Application number: US455086A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas J Mcgaun
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-05-12
Filing date: 1965-05-12
Publication date: 1967-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 1984-04-25

Description

1pm 25, 19E? '1' C N STORAGE UNIT FOR TISSUE ROLLS Filed May 12, 1965 mm l m E V C M l 8 A M O ,H WT

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ATTOR NEYS Unitcd States Patent 3,316,040 STORAGE UNIT FOR TISSUE ROLLS Thomas J. McGann, 1152 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, Mass. 02134 Filed May 12, 1965, Ser. No. 455,086 1 Claim. (Cl. 312-45) This invention relates generally to storage devices and more particularly is directed towards a new and improved bathroom accessory in the form of a combination container and dispenser for the temporary storageof a plurality of rolls of toilet tissue or the like.

Most toilet tissue dispensers are designed to hold but a single roll of paper and since extra rolls are usually stored in a remote cupboard or closet, some inconvenience may be involved in replacing an exhausted roll with a fresh one, In public rest rooms an attendant must make frequent inspections to insure that dispensers are kept filled. There is thus a need both in private and public toilet facilities for a conveniently located storage unit for temporarily storing a limited number of rolls of tissue paper. While various storage containers have been proposed heretofore for the same general purpose, none has been particularly satisfactory for such reasons as high cost, mechanical complexity and diificulty in installation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improvements in stor ge containers for paper rolls.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple low-cost storage container for toilet tissue rolls and the like which container may be quickly and easily installed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a storage container for rolls of toilet tissue and the like which container may be quickly and easily loaded and from which individual rolls may be readily removed.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel mounting arrangement for a storage container for rolls of toilet tissue and the like which container may be quickly and easily disconnected from a supporting bracket for cleaning or servicing.

More particularly, this invention features a storage container for rolls of toilet tissue and the like, comprising a tubular housing having a removable cover at its upper end whereby rolls may be loaded into the container through the top end thereof. A bottom wall across the base of the tubular housing serves as a stop for the rolls to hold them in end-to-end coaxially stacked relation. The housing is formed with an opening directly above the bottom wall and of sufiicient dimensions to permit the lowermost roll in the stack within the housing to be withdrawn. A sliding door is moveably mounted to the tubular housing and normally covers the opening through which the rolls are removed.

This invention also features a novel bracket for mounting the container to a wall or other supporting member, comprising an elongated frame adapted to be fastened to the wall and provided at its upper end with a loop for engaging the upper portion of the container and formed at its lower end with a channelled shoulder portion for interlocking engagement with the lower end of the container.

However, these and other features of the invention, along with further objects and advantages thereof, will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a storage container and mounting bracket made according to the invention,

3,316,040 Patented Apr. 25, 1967 FIG. 2 is a view in perspective showing the container and bracket installed,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container and bracket and,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view in side elevation showing details of construction.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference character 10 generally indicates a container assembly including a tubular housing 11 for storing a plurality of toilet tissue rolls 12 or the like, stacked in end-to-end coaxial relation as shown in FIG. 2. Mounted across the lower end of the tubular housing 11 is a circular bottom wall 14 having a diameter generally corresponding with that of the housing. The bottom wall 14 is slightly recessed into the bottom of the container whereby the rear lower edge of the housing will extend below the bottom wall 14 for reasons that will presently appear. A removable cover 16 is provided for the upper end of the container. The rolls 12 are normally loaded into the container through the top and it will be understood that it is necessary to remove the cover only when rolls are being placed in the container or when the container is being removed from or replaced on its support.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an opening 18 is formed through the lower end of the tubular housing 11 and directly above the bottom wall 14 to provide access to the lowermost roll 12 stacked within the container. The opening 18 is rectangular in front elevation and of a size to permit easy withdrawal of a single roll 12. It will be appreciated that, insofar as the lowermost roll is resting directly on the bottom wall 14, it may easily be withdrawn by merely gripping the roll and pulling it laterally from the stack through the opening.

In order to provide full protection for the rolls stored within the container, a sliding door 20 is provided for the opening 13. The door 20 is curved to match the outer cylindrical surface of the tubular housing 11 and extends approximately about the tubular housing. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the side edges of the door extend radially outward to form ribs 22. The ribs 22 engage channel members 24 which are fixed to and extend vertically along the outside of the housing 11 diametrically opposite one another to either side of the opening 18. The channel members extend about twice the height of the opening 18 whereby the door 20, which slideably engages the channel members, may be raised to a position completely over the opening 18 so that there will be no interference in the withdrawal of a roll 12. In practice, the door 20 may have a radius of curvature slightly greater than that of the outside diameter of the housing 11 so that the ribs 22 will frictionally engage channel members 24 under a slight pressure whereby the door 20 will remain in whatever position it is moved to. The forward edge of the bottom wall 14 serves as a stop for the door 20 in its lowered position.

Typically, the housing 11 may be on the order of 18 to 20 inches in height which is suitable for storing four conventional size tissue rolls 12. Obviously, the height may be varied depending upon the number and sizes of the rolls to be stored. When used as a toilet roll container, the housing 11 should have an inside diameter on the order of 4 /2". Also, the height of the opening 18 is on the order of 4 /2 and the door 20 is slightly higher. Various materials may be used to fabricate the container. For example, a plastic such as PVC may be used to advantage since it is strong, light and low in cost. Other plastic materials, transparent, translucent and opaque in selected colors may be employed and metals such as aluminum, stainless steel or the like may also be used.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 a bracket 26 is provided for hanging the container to a wall or other supporting structure. Preferably, the container should be mounted in a corner in close proximity to the flush tank. The bracket 26 comprises an elongated right angular brace 28 which is mounted in a corner as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 3 :by screws or the like, passed through openings 30. A loop 32 is formed at the upper end of the bracket and has an inside diameter corresponding with the outside diameter of the tubular housing 11 whereby the upper end of the container will 'be held in position when mounted to the bracket. It will be noted in FIG. 3 that the upper portion of each side of the bracket 28 extends tangentially into the loop portion 32 whereby the sides of the bracket will bear flush against the supporting walls before curving into the loop portion.

At the lower end of the bracket 26 an abbreviated shelf 34 is formed with an arcuate channel member 36 having an upwardly facing groove 38. As shown in FIG. 4, the function of the groove 33 is to receive the arcuate lower rear edge of the tubular housing 11 in interlocking engagement. It will be understood that once the bracket has been mounted to the wall, the container is attached to the bracket by first removing the cover 16 and inserting the container from below up through the loop 32 so that the bottom portion of the container 10 is brought slightly above the channel member 36. The container 10 is then swung in against the bracket and dropped down so that the lower rear edge of the housing 11 engages the channel member 36 to hold the container in position. The rolls 12 may then be loaded and the cover replaced. The unit is now ready for use.

It will be appreciated that the container illustrated and described herein may be manufactured at a very low cost and yet is extremely rugged, durable and completely eificient. The unit may be used in the home or public or private rest rooms as desired. The bracket may be hung quickly and easily with no special tools since only a screwdriver is required. Once in position, the container is readily connected and may be easily disconnected from time to time for periodic cleaning.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to the illustrated embodiment, it will be understood that numerous modifications thereto will appear to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description and accompanying drawings should be taken as illustrative of the invention and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patents of the United States is:

A wall mounted device for storing tissue rolls and the like, comprising in combination (a) an elongated tubular housing adapted to accommodate a plurality of tissue rolls stacked in end-toend relation, and

(b) a bracket for detachably mounting said housing to said wall in a vertical position,

(c) a bottom wall mounted across the lower end of said housing to support the stacked rolls,

(d) said housing being formed with an opening through the side wall thereof immediately adjacent said bottom wall,

(e) said vopening being dimensioned to permit lateral removal of the lowermost roll in said stack,

(f) a hoop formed in the upper part of said bracket for engagement about the upper portion of said housing when inserted therein,

(g) a horizontally extending shoulder formed in the lower part of said bracket for supporting the lower portion of said housing when placed thereon,

(h) said bracket being formed with an angular configuration lengthwise thereof whereby said bracket may be mounted in a corner of said wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,584,441 5/1926 Engelken 312-42 3,151,920 10/1964 Burrell 312 3,157,445 11/1964 Aversa 312---45 3,224,644 12/1965 Davis 248-313 X 3,246,937 4/ 1966 Galbraith 312- CLAUDE A. ROY, Primary Examiner.

JOHN PETO, Examiner.