US3467456A

US3467456A - Decorative cover

Info

Publication number: US3467456A
Application number: US688243A
Authority: US
Inventors: John F Chmela
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-12-05
Filing date: 1967-12-05
Publication date: 1969-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 1986-09-16

Description

Sept. 16, 1969 J. F. CHMELA 3,467,456

DECORATIVE COVER Filed Dec. 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOHN E CHMELA ATTYS Sept. 16, 1969 J. F. CHMELA 3,467,456

DECORATIVE COVER Filed Dec. 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

JOHN F. CHMELA BY I ATTYS.

United States Patent 07 3,467,456 DECORATIVE COVER John F. Chmela, 7256 Davis St., Morton Grove, Ill. 60053 Filed Dec. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 688,243 Int. Cl. B65h 19/00 U.S. Cl. 31239 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A decorative shield or cover molded as an integral unit of plastic, preferably rigid polystyrene or polypropylene. The cover has a top wall and a pair of side walls which partially conceal the rolled paper products. In a preferred embodiment, the side walls have antirotation lock means thereon for preventing the cover from rotating when afiixed to a fixture, and are formed in a fashion such that the cover is snap-actingly removably afiixed to the fixture, without the need of additional fastening means. In a second embodiment, the antirotation lock means are integrally formed with the top wall.

'This invention relates to decorative shields or covers for rolled paper products, such as toilet tissue, paper towels and the like, which are adapted to be removably aflixed to the fixtures for holding these rolled paper products, without the need of additional fastening means.

It has theretofore been proposed to cover up rolls of toilet tissue and the like with the aid of attractive covers.

Such prior art devices, however, have either required the use of complicated attaching mechanisms such as lining surfaces for the recesses in walls that carry the toilet tissue spindle, hinged constructions, and the like,

or they have required the building in of the toilet tissue holder into the wall itself. In still other cases, the covers require the use of screws, brackets and the like to mount them, and the latter are objectionable since they mar the walls. Some of these covers also will fit only recessed fixtures. Accordingly, in general, it can be said that these prior art devices are objectionable, for one reason or another.

For example, in U.S. Patent 2,106,363 there is disclosed a holder or cover fortoilet tissue having a pair of side walls which have aperture slots in them'for receiving the opposite ends'or trunnions of the roller or spindleused torotatably support the roll of toilet tissue. The construction of the holder is such that it can be used only with recessed fixtures."Furthermore, the fixture and/or the holder must be of complimentary dimensions, otherwi'seythe' holder cannot be securely affixed" therein. In'particular, the side walls thereof must fit-relatively snugly within therecessed fixture, otherwise the trunnions cannot function-to releasably lock the holderto the fixture. Also,'the top, bottom and front cavities normally provided in the fixture must be spaced a predetermined distance from the front or open end thereof. This is due to the fact that the cover relies upon these spindle receiving cavities to removably secure it. to the fixturevand, if not properly spaced, the cover will fit loosely-or poorly. As in the case of the holder .dis

3,467,456 Patented Sept. 16, 1969 ice closed in the above-mentioned Patent 2,106,363, the side walls must be proportioned to fit snugly within the fixture, otherwise the cover cannot be properly secured to the fixture. Another disadvantage of the cover of this patent is the fact that the toilet tissue is completely concealed by the cover, and the free end of the roll only can be withdrawn through a slot provided in the underside of the cover. It is therefore diflicult to determine the supply of toilet tissue remaining on the roll and, in addition, if the free end is lost, the cover must be removed before additional lengths can be severed from the roll. This cover therefore is objectionable for the same reasons as generally set forth above, and further since the free end of the toilet tissue can become lost.

Another toilet tissue cover is disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,737,353, and its construction, like those mentioned above, is such that its use is limited to a great degree by the size and the configuration of the fixture to which it is to be affixed. Also, this cover requires the use of additional fastening means such as spring wires or elastic bands to secure the cover to the fixture. Like the cover disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,606,724, the free end of the roll of toilet tissue can get lost so that the cover must be removed before additional lengths can be severed from the roll. Accordingly, it is apparent that this cover also has a number of objectionable features.

The decorative cover or shield of the present invention fully described below, overcomes each of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the holders or covers of the prior art. In particular, the cover or shield can be easily and quickly removed or affixed to fixtures, whether recessed or of the arm-supporting type, without the need of additional fastening means. Furthermore, the size and construction of the fixture generally is of little importance, for the cover is adapted to fit virtually any type of fixture. Accordingly, it is extremely versatile.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved decorative shields or covers for rolled paper products such as toilet tissue, paper towels and the like.

Another object is to provide improved decorative shields or covers of the above type which are adapted to be removably affixed to the fixtures for holding these rolled paper products, without the need ofadditional fastening means.

Still another object is to provide improved decorative shields or covers of the above type which are adapted to be affixed to the fixtures for holding these rolled paper products and, furthermore, are adapted to rotatably support the rolled paper products themselves.

Still another object is to provide improved decorative shields or covers of the above type which are adapted to be. aflixed to the fixtures for holding the rolled paper products and, furthermore, are adapted to receive and support the roller about which the rolled paper product is supported. 1

A still further object is to provide improved decorative shields or covers of the above type which can be easily and inexpensively molded as an integral unit, of plastic and in a whole host of colors, and with and without patterns on them.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The above objectives are accomplished with a decorative shield or cover, hereinafter generally referred to as a decorative cover or simply a cover, which is molded as an integral unit of plastic, preferably rigid polystyrene or polypropylene. The cover has a top wall and a pair of side walls which partially conceal the rolled paper products. The side walls, in a preferred embodiment, and the top wall in a second embodiment, have anti-rotation lock means thereon for preventing the cover from rotating when afiixed to a fixture, and are formed in a fashion such that the cover is snap-actingly removablyaffixed' to the fixture, without the need of additional fastening means.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fixture for supporting a roll of toilet tissue having a decorative cover exemplary of the present invention removably affixed thereto;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the decorative cover illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the decorative cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the decorative cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of a decorative cover formed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, having an awning-type appearance;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of a decorative cover, constructed in a fashion such as to support the roller provided with most standard fixtures;

FIG.7 is a front sectional view of the decorative cover of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side plan view of a decorative cover, constructed in a fashion such as to support a roll of toilet tissue, so that the roller provided with most standard fixtures can be eliminated;

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the decorative cover of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of a decorative cover, having a pair of slots formed therein in at least one side wall, so as to provide a resilient, flexible flap for assisting in afiixing a roll of toilet tissue therein; and

FIG. 11 is a side plan view of still another decorative cover having anti-rotating and locking means integrally formed with the top wall thereof.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is illustrated a fixture 10 of the standard type which is adapted to be recessed into a wall 12, as illustrated, and fixedly secured thereto. The fixture 10 includes a roller 14, for rotatably supporting a roll of toilet tissue 15, in the well- -known manner. A decorative cover 16, exemplary of a first embodiment of the invention, is snap-actingly removably affixed to the fixture 10 in a manner described more fully below, and partially conceals the toilet tissue, much like an awning. The cover 16, as indicated above, is molded as an integral unit, preferably of a plastic such as rigid polystyrene or polypropylene, and can be provided in a whole host of different colors, and with or without a pattern or decorative design on it. Furthermore, its top wall 18 can be arcuate shaped, as illustrated in FIG. 1, rectilinear shaped, as illustrated in FIG. 5, or any one of a number of other different shapes, so as to provide a number of different figurative designs for the housewife to select. In addition, the front edge 20 of its top wall 18 can be simply a straight edge, as illustrated in FIG. 4, or it can be scalloped, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to provide still additional variations in its design. The front edge 20 even can be serrated to assist in tearing or severing a length of the toilet tissue from the roll, if desired. Accordingly, it can be seen that the design of the cover 16 is such that it can be easily modified to provide a wide variation in design, in almost any color including chrome, so as to give the housewife an extremely wide latitude in selecting a cover to change or match the decor in the bathroom. i

More specifically, the decorative cover 16 is molded as an integral unit,"'preferably of plastic, and has a top wall 18 and side walls 22 and 24. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the top wall 18 is arcuate-shaped, and as can be best seen in FIG. 3, it extends only partially about the peripheral edge of the side walls 22 and 24. Considering the front edge 20 thereof as a reference, the top wall 18 extends about the peripheral edge of the side walls 22 and 24, through an angle of approximately Its front edge 20 is scalloped, however, as indicated above, it can be provided as a straight edge or it can be serrated, if desired. Other configurations such as tooth edges and the like also can be provided.

The side walls 22 and 24, again using the front edge 20 of the top wall 18 as a reference, are substantially solid throughout an angle of approximately 270, but have roller slots 26 (FIG. 3) formed in them for receiving the roller 14 of a fixture, as described more fully below. The edges of the side walls 22 and 24 also preferably are arcuately contoured, as at 28 and 30, to provide a more decorative design.

With the above described construction, it may be noted that the rear portion of the cover 16 is substantially open, so that the portion of each of the side walls 22 and 24 from the rear edge 32 of the top wall 18 on form a pair of spaced ears 34 (FIG. 3). The ears 34 are resilient or flexible so that they can be squeezed together, by placing the fingers on the outer surfaces thereof and pressing them inwardly, to extend them into a fixture and then released to snap-actingly atfix the cover 16 to the fixture 10.

More particularly, to affix the cover 16 to a fixture, such as the fixture 10, the ears 34 of the cover are squeezed together and inserted within the fixture 10, from the top side with respect to the roll of tissue paper. Once inserted, the tension can be relieved on the side walls and the cover 16 is simultaneously pushed inwardly and rotated to extend the cars 34 about the roller 14, until the latter is seated within the roller slots 26 formed in the side walls 22 and 24.

Each of the side walls 22 and 24 have a pair of positioning and

anti-rotation tabs

40 and 42 formed on them, in spaced relation with the roller slots 26. These

tabs

40 and 42 lockingly engage with the roller support arms 44 of the fixture 10, on each of the opposite sides thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. l-3. As suggested, these

tabs

40 and 42 function both to lockingly position the cover 16 and to prevent it from rotating about the roller 14, when for example, the front edge 20 thereof is used to sever a length of the toilet tissue from the roll. The tabs 40 on each of the side walls 22 and 24 also preferably have a tapered or sloped surface 46 on them which will cammingly engage the roller support arms 44 of the fixture 10, so that the tabs can easily slide by the roller support arms, as the cover 16 is rotated to-positionally aflix it to the fixture 10. Once the tabs 40 clear the roller support arms, they will snap actingly lock them between the generally flat cam or locking

surfaces

47 and 48 on the

tabs

40 and 42, respectively. Accordingly, it can be seen that the cover 16 is easily and quickly affixed to the fixture 10, so as to provide a decorative cover which conceals a substantial portion of the roll of toilet tissue, without the need of any additional fastening means.

To remove the cover 16, the side walls 22 and 24, or

the cars 34 thereof, merely are squeezed together sufficiently to releasably dis-engage the tabs 40 with the roller support arms 44 and simultaneously rolled or rotated out of the fixture 10. Accordingly, the cover 16 is removed from the fixture, as easily as it is affixed to it.

Most fixtures are of a standard construction and have roller support arms which are spaced apart the same distance. However, there is a slight variation in the spacing between the arms. Also, in many cases, a recessed fixture is not used, but merely roller support arms of the type which are adapted to be individually afiixed to a support surface, in spaced relation. The spacing between this type of roller support arm therefore may vary considerably more than in the case of a recessed structure since this latter type generally is an integral unit. To compensate for this variation, the side walls 22 and 24 preferably are bowed outwardly at the center, or have a raised conical surface configuration, as can be .best seen in FIG. 2. With this construction, the cover 16 can be made to lockingly engage with fixtures having a relatively wide variation in the spacing between the roller support arms thereof.

In FIG. 5, there is illustrated another decorative cover 50 which is like the cover 16, however, its top wall 52 is arcuate shaped at the rear portion thereof and is generally fiat and horizontally disposed at the forward portion thereof. The top wall further is bent so as to present a flat front face 54, upon which a decorative pattern or design can be affixed, or integrally molded into it. The forward portion of each of the side walls 56 (only one shown) is contoured so as to flow into and merge with the front face 54. Accordingly, the cover 50 has an appearance much like an awning. I

The cover 50 is removably atfixed to the fixture for supporting a roll of toilet tissue, in the same manner as the cover 16, as described above.

In .FIGS. 6 and 7, there is illustrated still another decorative cover 60 which is generally like the cover 16 and the cover 50, however, it is further adapted to support a roller 62 of the standard type used with most fixtures. The cover 60 also has a fixture engaging knob 64 aflixed to each of its

side walls

66 and 68, which are adapted to seat within the roller receiving cavity 70 provided in the roller support arms 72 of a fixture for supporting the roller thereof.

More particularly, as can be best seen in FIG. 6, the

side walls

66 and 68 of the cover 60 do not have roller slots formed in them, but instead have a pair of fixture engaging knobs 64 formed on them. The knobs 64, as can be best seen in FIG. 7, are integrally molded with the

side walls

66 and 68, and preferably are truncated conical-shaped knobs having similar shaped roller receiving cavities 74 formed in them. The conical shape of the outer side wall of the knobs 64 permit them to seat with the roller receiving cavities 70 on most standard fixtures, and the same is true with respect to the conical shape of the side wall of the roller receiving cavities 74 of the cover 60. That is, these roller receiving cavities 74 will receive and support most standard rollers.

Tabs

76 and 78 which, like the

tabs

40 and 42 described above, function to positionally support the cover 60 and to prevent it from rotating, are provided on each of the

side walls

66 and 68, on opposite sides of the knobs 64.

The covers 60 are removably aflixed to a fixture in generally the same manner as the covers 16 and 50, however, in this case, the knobs 64 are seated within the roller receiving cavities 70 of the roller support arms 72, and the cover 60' is rotated until the

tabs

76 and 78 snap actingly lockingly engage with the roller support arms 72. The roll of toilet issue then is placed on the roller 62, and the latter is positioned within the cover 60, in the well-known manner. Alternatively, the roller 62 with the roll of toilet tissue affixed to it can be inserted within the cover 60, and the latter then affixed to the fixture.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, another decorative cover 80 is illustrated which is aflixed to a fixture in the same fashion as the cover 60, that is, by means of

roller knobs

82 and 84 affixed to its side walls 86 and 8-8, respectively. The cover 80, however, has interior flanges or Walls concentrically formed with the

knobs

82 and 84, which form supports 90 and 92 adapted to receive and support thereon, the paper roller generally provided within each roll of toilet tissue. Accordingly, the roller generally provided with the fixture for supporting a roll of toilet tissue can be discarded.

In the case of the decorative cover 80, it may be advantageous to provide a resilient, flexible flap 93 on at least one of the

side walls

86 and 88, which can be flexed outwardly to permit a roll of toilet tissue to be more easily aflixed within the cover 80. This can be easily accomplished by forming, for example, a U-shaped slot 96 having

legs

97 and 98 which extend rearwardly between the knob 82 and respective ones of the

tabs

87 and 89, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 10, so that the knob 82 and the support both are integrally affixed to the flexible flap 93. i

In FIG. 11, there is illustrated still another decorative cover 100 which is generally like the covers 16, 50, 60 and 80, however, it has differently constructed positioning and anti-rotation tabs. The cover 100 can be used with fixtures 101 of the recessed type having an engageable top front wall 102 and bottom front wall 103. I

The cover 100 has spaced side walls 104 and a top wall 105. The side walls 104, in the illustrated embodiment, have roller slots 106 in them, however, the side walls can be formed in the manner of the side walls of the covers 60 and 80, if desired. The top wall has a positioning and anti-rotation tab 108 integrally formed with it in a position such that it engages the top front wall 102 of the fixture 101 when the cover 100 is properly positioned within the fixture. This tab 108 can be generally triangular in cross section, as illustrated, having a flat face 109 which abuts the top front face 102 of the fixture. The tap 108 can extend across part or all of the width of the top wall 105, or it can be in the form of two or more spaced apart tabs.

The rear portion of the top wall 105 has a positioning and anti-rotation tab 110 integrally formed with it, which is adapted to snap-actingly lockingly engage with the top edge of bottom front face 103 of the fixture 101, as illustrated. This tab 110 is in the form of one or more lengthened resilient flaps or fingers which are integrally formed with and extend from the rear edge of the top wall 105. Each of the flaps has a bent hook 111 on its end, and is of a length such that the hook 111 snap-actingly locks over the edge of the bottom front wall 103 when the cover 100 is properly positioned within the fixture 101.

To afiix the cover 100 to a fixture 101, the ears 112 on the side walls 104 are inserted in the fixture, and the fixture rotated until the roller 113 is seated within the roller slots 106. When the cover 100 is properly positioned the tab 108 will abut the top front wall 102 of the fixture, and the hook 111 on the end of the flap tabs 110 will snapactingly lock over the top edge of the bottom front wall 103. To remove the cover, it is merely rotated in the oppo site direction, with sufficient force to lockingly disengage or release the flap tab 110.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter con tained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A decorative cover for rolled paper products such as toilet tissue, paper towels and the like, said decorative cover being formed as an integral unit and comprising a top wall and a pair of side walls, said pair of side walls being spaced so as to receive a rolled paper product therebetween and being flexible, at least one of said side walls having a pair of anti-rotation tabs thereon which are positioned to snap-actingly lockingly engage on the opposite sides of a roller support arm, respectively, of the fixture supporting said rolled paper product to position said decorative cover with respect to said fixture and to prevent said decorative cover from rolling or rotating when affixed to said fixture and to removably secure said decorative cover to said fixture without the need of additional fastening means.

2. The decorative cover of claim 1, wherein said side walls are generally circular-shaped and said top wall extends arcuately about a predetermined portion of the peripheral edges thereof, said side walls each having a roller slot formed therein which extends inwardly from the edge thereof to its central axis and at an angle such that said decorative cover is substantially concentrically disposed about said rolled paper product when the roller of said fixture for supporting said rolled paper product is seated within said roller slots in said side walls and such that said top wall extends about and conceals substantially the upper diametral portion of said roll of rolled paper product, said pair of tabs being positioned so as to lockingly engage on the opposite sides of a roller support arm, respectively, to retain said decorative cover in this position.

3. The decorative cover of claim 1, wherein said side walls each are conical-shaped so as to cause said tabs thereon to snap-actingly lockingly engage on the opposite sides of a roller support arm, respectively, as said decorative cover is rotated into position in said fixture.

4. The decorative cover of claim 1, wherein said side walls are generally circular-shaped and said top wall extends arcuately about a predetermined portion of the peripheral edges thereof, said side walls each having a shaft integrally formed therewith which is axially positioned and adapted to seat within the roller receiving cavity in respective ones of the roller support arms of a fixture, the interior of said shafts being formed so as to receive the respective ends of a roller for supporting a roll of rolled paper product therein, said pair of tabs being positioned so as to lockingly engage on the oppo site sides of a roller support arm, respectively, to posi- 2 tion said decorative cover so that its top wall conceals substantially the upper diametral portion of a roll of olled paper product and to prevent said decorative cover from rolling or rotating when afiixed within said fixture.

5. The decorative cover of claim 4, wherein said side walls each bow outwardly so as to cause said tabs thereon to snap-actingly lockingly engage on the opposite sides of a roller support arm, respectively, as said decorative cover is rotated into position in said fixture.

6. The decorative cover of claim 4, wherein said side walls each are conical-shaped so as to cause said tabs thereon to snap-actingly lockingly engage on the opposite sides of a roller support arm, respectively, as said decorative cover is rotated into position in said fixture.

7. The decorative cover of claim 1, wherein said side walls are generally circular-shaped and said top wall extends arcuately about a predetermined portion of the peripheral, edges thereof, said side walls each having a shaft integrally formed therewith which is axially positioned and adapted to seat within the roller receiving cavity in respective ones of the roller support arms of a fixture, a roller shaft formed interiorly of said decorative cover on each of said Walls concentric with said shafts on said side walls for supporting a roll of rolled paper product thereon, said pair of tabs being positioned so as to lockingly engage on the opposite sides of a roller support arm, respectively, to position said decorative cover so that its top wall conceals substantially the upper diametral portion of a roll of rolled paper product and to prevent said decorative cover from rolling or rotating when affixed within said fixture.

8. The decorative cover of claim 7, further including a U-shaped slot in at least one of said side walls having a pair of legs which extend on each of the opposite sides of said shaft thereon and between respective ones of said pair of tabs, said slot forming a flexible flap with said shaft and said roller shaft thereon which can be flexed outwardly to permit a roll of rolled paper product to be more easily affixed therein.

9. A decorative cover for rolled paper products such as toilet tissue, paper towels and the like, said decorative cover being formed as an integral unit and comprising a top wall and a pair of side walls, said pair of side walls being spaced so as to receive a rolled paper product therebetween, positioning and anti-rotation tabs integrally formed with at least one of said top walls and said pair of side walls which are positioned to lockingly engage with said fixture to position said decorative cover with respect to said fixture and to prevent said decorative cover from rolling or rotating when affixed to said fixture and to removably secure said decorative cover to said fixture without the need of additional fastening means, having a positioning and anti-rotation tab integrally formed on the top surface of said top wall and a positioning and antirotation tab integrally formed with and extending from the rear edge of said top wall, said tabs being positioned and adapted to abut the top front face of a fixture and to snap-actingly lockingly engage with the edge of the bottom front face of a fixture, respectively, when said cover is properly positioned within said fixture.

10. The cover of claim 9 wherein said tab integrally formed with and extending from the rear edge of said top wall is in the form of a lengthened resilient flap having a hook portion on its free end which is adapted to snapactingly lock over the edge of the bottom front face of said fixture.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,579,201 12/1951 Pendergast 242-5553 2,590,552 3/1952 Lauton 24255.53 2,606,724 8/1952 Hertz 312-39 XR BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner JAMES L. KOHNEN, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 24255.53