Paper Towel Holder Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel paper towel holder device. The device is designed to ensure that a roll of paper towels is always accessible when needed. The device comprises a housing mounted to a wall or refrigerator and a center, spring-loaded dowel rod that pulls back to allow the rod to be removed from between a pair of opposing mounting ends, similar to a toilet paper roll dispenser. The wall-mounted version can be mounted using adhesive or hardware. The kitchen version is magnetic, such that it can be secured to a side of the refrigerator via a plurality of magnets.

Claims

1. A paper towel holder device that allows a user to mount a paper towel roll to a wall or a refrigerator, the paper towel holder device comprising: a housing; a pair of opposing mounting ends; and a dowel rod; wherein the pair of opposing mounting ends act to secure the dowel rod to the housing; wherein the dowel rod is removably received by the pair of opposing mounting ends for supporting the paper towel roll thereon; and further wherein the dowel rod is inserted into a hollow center of the paper towel roll and then inserted onto the pair of opposing mounting ends and secured.

2. The paper towel holder device of claim 1, wherein the housing and the pair of opposing mounting ends are an integral unit.

3. The paper towel holder device of claim 2, wherein the pair of opposing mounting ends extend out approximately 90 degrees from the housing.

4. The paper towel holder device of claim 1, wherein the dowel rod comprises a first and a second telescoping components.

5. The paper towel holder device of claim 4, wherein the first telescoping component fits within the second telescoping component.

6. The paper towel holder device of claim 5, wherein a spring is inserted between the first and the second telescoping components, such that when opposing ends of the dowel rod are pushed together, the dowel rod compresses together, releasing the dowel rod from the pair of opposing mounting ends.

7. The paper towel holder device of claim 6, wherein the paper towel holder device is mounted on the wall.

8. The paper towel holder device of claim 7, wherein the housing comprises at least one hole for receiving a screw for securement to the wall.

9. The paper towel holder device of claim 7, wherein the housing comprises an adhesive for securement to the wall.

10. The paper towel holder device of claim 6, wherein the paper towel holder device is mounted on the refrigerator.

11. The paper towel holder device of claim 10, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of magnets for securement to the refrigerator.

12. The paper towel holder device of claim 1, wherein the pair of opposing mounting ends each comprise a groove for supporting the dowel rod therebetween.

13. The paper towel holder device of claim 12, wherein an end of the dowel rod comprises a protrusion which rests in and is retained within the groove of the pair of opposing mounting ends.

14. The paper towel holder device of claim 1, wherein the dowel rod is an extended length dowel rod which is sized to retain both a paper towel roll and a toilet paper roll.

15. A paper towel holder device that allows a user to mount a paper towel roll to a wall or a refrigerator, the paper towel holder device comprising: a housing for the paper towel roll; a pair of opposing mounting ends which extend out approximately 90 degrees from the housing; and a dowel rod; wherein the pair of opposing mounting ends act to secure the dowel rod to the housing; wherein the dowel rod is removably received by the pair of opposing mounting ends for supporting a paper towel roll thereon; wherein the dowel rod is inserted into a hollow center of the paper towel roll and then inserted onto the pair of opposing mounting ends and secured; wherein the dowel rod comprises a first telescoping component positioned within a second telescoping component and a spring inserted therebetween; wherein the pair of opposing mounting ends each comprise a groove for supporting the dowel rod therebetween; and further wherein an end of the dowel rod comprises a protrusion which rests in and is retained within the groove of the pair of opposing mounting ends.

16. The paper towel holder device of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

17. The paper towel holder device of claim 15, wherein the paper towel holder device is mounted on the wall and the housing comprises at least one hole for receiving a screw for securement to the wall.

18. The paper towel holder device of claim 15, wherein the paper towel holder device is mounted on the refrigerator and the housing comprises a plurality of magnets for securement to the refrigerator.

19. The paper towel holder device of claim 15, wherein the dowel rod is an extended length dowel rod that is sized to retain both a paper towel roll and a toilet paper roll.

20. A method of providing a paper towel roll in both a kitchen and a bathroom, the method comprising the steps of: providing a paper towel holder device comprising a center, spring-loaded dowel rod for removing and reloading the paper towel roll; mounting the paper towel holder device to a wall or a refrigerator, wherein the wall-mounted device is mounted using adhesives or hardware, and the refrigerated-mounted device is mounted using magnets; removing the center, spring-loaded dowel rod by compressing the ends to the middle and pulling the dowel rod out from the device; inserting a paper towel roll on the dowel rod; and placing the paper towel roll and dowel rod back on the device for use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the paper towel holder device of the present invention as a wall-mounted design in a bathroom in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the paper towel holder device of the present invention comprising a spring-loaded center rod in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the paper towel holder device of the present invention secured to a refrigerator via a plurality of magnets in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the paper towel holder device of the present invention wherein the device comprises an extended rod for retaining both a paper towel roll and a toilet paper roll in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the paper towel holder device of the present invention as a wall-mounted design in a kitchen in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of providing paper towels in both the kitchen and the bathroom using one potential embodiment of the paper towel holder device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0031] 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. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0032] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that provides users with a paper towel holder for both the bathroom and the kitchen. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that eliminates the need for individuals to share the same drying towel, which can transmit germs. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that ensures that a roll of paper towels is always accessible when needed. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that features a magnetic variation of the device that enables a roll of paper towels to be conveniently adhered to the side of a refrigerator. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that offers an extended version that also holds a roll of toilet paper and is mounted to a bathroom wall. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a paper towel holder device that can be mounted using adhesive or hardware.

[0033] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel paper towel holder device. The device is designed to ensure that a roll of paper towels is always accessible when needed. The device comprises a housing mounted to a wall or refrigerator and a center, spring-loaded dowel rod that pulls back to allow the rod to be removed from between a pair of opposing mounting ends. The wall-mounted version can be mounted using adhesive or hardware. The kitchen version is magnetic, such that it can be secured to a side of the refrigerator via a plurality of magnets. The present invention also includes a novel method of providing paper towels in both the kitchen and the bathroom. The method includes the steps of providing a paper towel holder device comprising a center, spring-loaded dowel rod for removing and reloading the paper towel rolls. The method also comprises mounting the paper towel holder device to a wall or a refrigerator, wherein the wall-mounted device is mounted using adhesive or hardware, and the refrigerated-mounted device is mounted using magnets. Further, the method comprises removing the center, spring-loaded dowel rod by compressing the ends to the middle and pulling the dowel rod out from the device. The method comprises inserting a paper towel roll on the support rod. Finally, placing the paper towel roll and dowel rod back on the device for use.

[0034] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the paper towel holder device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the paper towel holder device 100 is an improved paper towel holder device that eliminates the need for users to share the same drying towel, which can transmit germs. The device 100 is especially designed to allow any suitable user as is known in the art, to mount a paper towel roll 102 to a wall 104 or a refrigerator 106 for use. More specifically, the device 100 comprises a housing 108 with a pair of opposing mounting ends 110 and a center, dowel rod 112.

[0035] Specifically, the paper towel holder device 100 comprises a housing 108 which houses the paper towel roll 102. The housing 108 can be any suitable size and shape as is known in the art, as long as it is sized and shaped to retain a standard size paper towel roll 102. In this embodiment, the housing 108 is rectangular and spans the length of a paper towel roll 102. At either end 114 of the housing 108, a mounting end 110 is secured. The mounting end 110 can be an integral piece with the housing 108, or the mounting ends 110 can be separate components secured to the housing 108 via any suitable securing means as is known in the art, such as adhesives, screws, bolts, etc. The mounting ends 110 are secured to the housing 108 such that they extend out approximately 90 degrees from the housing 108 forming a right angle with the housing 108. The mounting ends 110 act to secure the center dowel rod 112 or spindle to the housing 108. The center dowel rod 112 is removably receivable upon the mounting ends 110 for supporting a paper towel roll 102 thereupon.

[0036] Further, the center dowel rod 112 is cylindrical in shape and sized to span the length of a standard paper towel roll 102. The center dowel rod 112 is inserted into the hollow center 116 of a paper towel roll 102, such that the paper towel roll 102 is retained on the center dowel rod 112. The center dowel rod 112 can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, as long as the shape of the dowel rod 112 allows the dowel rod 112 to rotate within the paper towel roll 102. Once the paper towel roll 102 is inserted onto the dowel rod 112, the dowel rod 112 is inserted onto the mounting ends 110 and secured. Thus, the paper towel roll 102 can then be accessed from the housing 108.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the paper towel holder device 100 of the present invention includes a dowel rod 112, comprising two telescoping components 118, 120, wherein the first component 118 fits within the second component 120. Further, a spring 122 is then inserted between the telescoping components 118, 120 such that when the opposing ends 124 of the dowel rod 112 are pushed together, the dowel rod 112 compresses together, releasing the ends 124 of the dowel rod 112 from the mounting ends 110. This allows a user to change the paper towel roll 102 when empty.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the paper towel holder device 100 can be mounted on a wall 104 or mounted on a refrigerator 106. Specifically, if wall-mounted, the housing 108 comprises at least one hole 300, for receiving a screw or other fastener as is known in the art, for securement to a wall 104. Further, the back 302 of the housing 108 could also comprise adhesives 304 to mount the device 100 to a wall 104. If mounted to a refrigerator 106, the device 100 comprises a plurality of magnets 306 secured to the back 302 of the housing 108. Any other suitable securing means as is known in the art can be utilized to mount the device 100 to a wall 104 or refrigerator 106, as well. Additionally, each of the sides of the opposing mounting ends 110 include a shallow groove 308 formed therein for supporting the dowel rod 112 therebetween. Each groove 308 accepts an end 124 of the dowel rod 112. Specifically, the ends 124 of the dowel rod 112 comprise a knob or other protrusion 310 which rests in, and is retained within, the groove 308 of the mounting ends 110. The groove 308 is made slightly wider than the knob or protrusion 310 so as to serve as a comfortable seat in which the dowel rod end 124 can rest or rotate.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the paper towel holder device 100 of the present invention comprises an extended dowel rod 406. The extended dowel rod 406 is sized to retain both a paper towel roll 102 and a toilet paper roll 400 such that both rolls 102 and 400 can be placed on the dowel rod 406 for use. Thus, the device 100 can be mounted in a bathroom 402 for use.

[0040] In one embodiment, the paper towel holder device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 404. Specifically, the paper towel holder device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the housing 108, mounting ends 110, and dowel rod 112, or any other indicia 404 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 404 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be paper towel/brand related.

[0041] In operative use, as shown in FIG. 5, a roll of paper towels 102 is fitted on the dowel rod 112 by inserting the dowel rod 112 through the central hole (or hollow center 116) of the paper towel roll 102, and then sliding the dowel rod ends 124 into the grooves 308 of the mounting ends 110. The device 100 is now ready for use. The paper towel holder device 100 may be manufactured in different sizes for either paper towels 102 and/or bathroom tissue 400, or be made up in sets for both.

[0042] It is to be noted, that the dowel rod 112 will not pop out of the grooves 308 when the paper towel roll 102 is pulled, to unwind a portion of it from the roll 102, the dowel rod 112 remains in the bottom of the grooves 308, even if the paper towel roll 102 is pulled in a slightly upwardly direction. To replace the paper towel roll 102, simply compress the dowel rod 112 and it will telescope together, easily moving the dowel rod ends 124 from the grooves 308 of the mounting ends 110.

[0043] In one embodiment, the paper towel holder device 100 is manufactured from any suitable material as is known in the art, such as metal, hardwood or a rigid plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride, (PVC), or polycarbonate, etc. Further, the paper towel holder device 100 can be either transparent, or manufactured in various colors, so as to harmonize with the decor of a room. Generally, the paper towel holder device 100 is also manufactured from a material that is water resistant or water permeable, or the housing 108 comprises a coating that is water resistant or water permeable.

[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method of providing paper towels in both the kitchen and the bathroom. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a paper towel holder device comprising a center, spring-loaded dowel rod for removing and reloading the paper towel rolls. The method also comprises at 602, mounting the paper towel holder device to a wall or a refrigerator, wherein the wall-mounted device is mounted using adhesive or hardware, and the refrigerated-mounted device is mounted using magnets. Further, the method comprises at 604, removing the center, spring-loaded dowel rod by compressing the ends to the middle and pulling the dowel rod out from the device. The method comprises at 606, inserting a paper towel roll on the dowel rod. Finally, at 608, placing the paper towel roll and dowel rod back on the device for use.

[0045] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “paper towel holder device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the paper towel holder device 100 of the present invention.

[0046] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the paper towel holder device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the paper towel holder device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the paper towel holder device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the paper towel holder device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the paper towel holder device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0047] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0048] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.