SECONDARY DISPENSER METHOD AND APPARATUS

Abstract

A secondary dispenser readily attachable to a standard toilet-tissue dispenser of a roll type for positioning next to the primary toilet-tissue dispenser for dispensing supplemental materials such as pre-wetted toilet sheets. The sheets can be withdrawn from an open door.

A compact auxiliary device providing wetted or self-wetting sheets for releasable proximate mounting in conjunction with a conventional toilet-tissue dispenser of dry sheets; comprises an inexpensive container or magazine component pre-loaded with the supplemental sheets. The magazine can be snapped into functional position rapidly. It serves an improved health care and cleanliness function.

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A dispenser for storing and dispensing folded tissue sheets, comprising: (a) a housing having top and bottom portions, an internal compartment configured to retain a supply of folded issue sheets, and an openable top providing access to the internal compartment; (b) a dispensing opening in the top, providing access to the internal compartment which is smaller than the access in the openable top; (c) a plurality of first and second arms, located on opposite exterior side walls of the housing and rotatably connected to the housing having closed and open positions, each of the first and second arms including an opening engaging a spindle of a toilet paper fixture; and (d) a spacer connected to the bottom portion, wherein the spacer has extended and retracted states, wherein in the extended state the spacer protrudes beyond the bottom portion and causes the housing to be located in a non-vertical orientation away from a wall from which the dispenser is supported, when the arms are supported by the wall, and in the retracted state the spacer does not protrude beyond the bottom portion, causing the container to be located in a vertical orientation relative to the wall.

29. The dispenser of claim 28, wherein the housing comprises a generally elongated box-like structure having parallel side walls, the arms being rotatable to their closed position to extend substantially parallel to a plane including the top.

30. The dispenser of claim 28, wherein the bottom portion includes a generally planar surface and a recessed portion, which recessed portion generally contains the spacer in a retracted state such that the spacer does not protrude beyond the planar surface of the bottom portion.

31. The dispenser of claim 28, wherein each arm is frictionally positionable, and the housing provides frictional resistance to the roll of toilet paper.

32. The dispenser of claim 28, wherein the plurality of arms in their open position are supported on the toilet paper dispenser having a pair of toilet paper dispenser spaced apart arms and the spindle, the spindle also being supported by the pair of toilet paper dispenser spaced apart arms, a roll of toilet paper being supported by the spindle, and the arms of the dispenser in the open state being attached to the spindle at locations between the roll of toilet paper and the pair of spaced apart toilet paper dispenser arms.

33. The dispenser of claim 28, wherein the dispenser includes a lock operably connected to the openable top of the dispenser, and the spacer in the extended state the spacer maintains the dispenser in a non-vertical position in relation to a wall supporting the toilet paper dispenser.

34. A combination toilet paper fixture and supplemental dispenser for storing and dispensing moistened folded tissue sheets, the supplemental dispenser being supported by the toilet paper fixture having a pair of spaced apart toilet paper fixture arms and a spindle supported between the fixture arms, the spindle supporting a roll of toilet paper, comprising: (a) the supplemental dispenser includes a housing having an internal compartment having a supply of moistened folded tissue sheets, an openable top providing access to the internal compartment, the internal compartment being sealed to retain moisture in the moistened folded tissue sheets, and a bottom; (b) a dispensing opening, providing access to the tissue sheets in the internal compartment which dispensing opening is smaller than the access provided by the openable top; (c) a plurality of extendable and retractable arms, located on opposite exterior side walls of the housing, each of the arms including an opening, the openings engage the spindle of the toilet paper fixture; and (d) a spacer connected to the bottom portion, wherein the spacer has extended and retracted states, and in the extended state the spacer both protrudes beyond the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser and maintains the supplemental dispenser in a non-vertical position in relation to a wall supporting the toilet paper fixture, wherein each arm includes a curved extension stop and the amount of extension of the arm is limited by the extension stop.

35. The dispenser as in claim 34, wherein the housing comprises a generally elongated box-like structure having parallel side walls, the arms extending substantially parallel to a plane including the top, and the housing provides frictional resistance to the roll of toilet paper.

36. The dispenser as in claim 35, wherein each arm in the extended state has an opening which is located between the parallel side walls.

37. The dispenser as in claim 34, further comprising a supply of folded tissues disposed within the housing, the housing being refillable and openable top for receipt of the supply of tissues.

38. The dispenser as in claim 37, wherein the plurality of extendable and retractable arms include first and second arms, the spindle has a plurality of tabs and each opening of the arms includes two opening sizes, a first size and a second size, the first size being larger than the second size, with each opening size having an opening centerline and each of the opening centerlines of the first arm being parallel to and coincident with each other, and each of the opening centerlines of the second arm being parallel to and coincident with each other, the first opening size engages the spindle and the second opening size engages the tabs of the spindle.

39. The dispenser as in claim 34, further comprising a supply of folded tissues disposed within the housing, the housing being a disposable item after depletion of the supply of tissues.

40. A combination toilet paper dispensing fixture and supplemental dispenser for storing and dispensing moistened folded tissue sheets, the supplemental dispenser adapted for configuration with the toilet paper dispensing fixture with a pair of spaced apart toilet paper fixture arms and having a spindle supported between the fixture arms, the spindle supporting a roll of toilet paper, the supplemental dispenser comprising: a housing having an internal compartment configured to retain a supply of moistened folded tissue sheets; a dispensing opening in the internal compartment, providing access to the internal compartment; a plurality arms pivotally connected to the supplemental dispenser having extended and retracted states, the arms being located on opposite exterior side walls of the housing and each including a support opening engaging the spindle of the toilet paper fixture; and a spacer connected to the bottom portion, wherein the spacer has extended and retracted states, and in the extended state the spacer both protrudes beyond the bottom portion of the supplemental dispenser and maintains the supplemental dispenser in a single non-vertical position away from and in relation to a wall supporting the toilet paper fixture, and in the retracted state the supplemental dispenser is oriented in a vertical position relative to the wall.

41. The dispenser as in claim 40, wherein the housing comprises a generally elongated box-like structure having parallel side walls, the arms extending substantially parallel to a plane including the top, wherein each arm includes a curved extension stop and the amount of extension of the arm is limited by the extension stop.

42. The dispenser as in claim 41, wherein each arm in the extended state has an opening which is located between the parallel side walls.

43. The dispenser as in claim 41, each arm is frictionally positionable, and the housing provides frictional resistance to the roll of toilet paper.

44. The dispenser as in claim 40, further comprising a supply of folded tissues disposed within the housing, the housing being refillable and openable top for receipt of the supply of tissues.

45. The dispenser as in claim 40, wherein the plurality of arms include first and second arms, the spindle has a plurality of tabs and each opening of the arms includes two opening sizes, a first size and a second size, the first size being larger than the second size, with each opening size having an opening centerline and each of the opening centerlines of the first arm being parallel to and coincident with each other and each of the opening centerlines of the second arm being parallel to and coincident with each other, the first opening size engages the spindle and the second opening size engages the tabs of the spindle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 is a side view of a supplemental dispenser with folding arms attached to and hanging vertically from a spindle of a toilet paper dispenser.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the rear support now extended causing the dispenser to make a non vertical angle from a wall, and a user selecting a wipes from the dispenser when having the option of also selecting toilet paper from a toilet paper roll.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the door opened and a user pulling a wipe from the dispenser.

[0033] FIG. 4 is an upper front perspective view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a lower front view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a front view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a rear view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a left side view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a right side view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed.

[0039] FIG. 10 is a top view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed.

[0040] FIG. 11 is a bottom view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed.

[0041] FIG. 12 is an upper front perspective view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms folded/pivoted out with upper lid open and middle section closed.

[0042] FIG. 13 is a lower front view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms folded/pivoted out and lower spacer extended.

[0043] FIG. 14 is a front view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms folded/pivoted out with upper lid open and middle section closed, and lower spacer pivoted out/extended.

[0044] FIG. 15 is a rear view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms folded/pivoted out with upper lid open and middle section closed, and lower spacer pivoted out/extended.

[0045] FIG. 16 is a right side view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms folded/pivoted out with upper lid open and middle section closed, and lower spacer pivoted out/extended.

[0046] FIG. 17 is a top view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms folded/pivoted out with upper lid open and middle section closed.

[0047] FIG. 18 is a bottom view dispenser of FIG. 1 with the support arms pivoted out with lower spacer pivoted out/extended.

[0048] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternative version of a supplemental dispenser with folding/pivoting arms which arms are also telescopically extendable to vary the depth from which the dispenser will hang vertically from a spindle of a toilet paper dispenser.

[0049] FIG. 20 is a schematic view of one of the arms shown in FIG. 19 taken from the external side of the arm.

[0050] FIG. 21 is a side view of the arm of FIG. 20 taken from the internal side, where the arm is in a retracted position and locked in place in such retracted position.

[0051] FIG. 22 is a side view of the arm of FIG. 20 taken from the internal side, where the arm is in an extended position and locked in place in such extended position.

[0052] FIG. 23 is a top view of one of the arms in FIG. 19, where the arm is in a retracted position and locked in place in such retracted position.

[0053] FIG. 24 is an internal side view of the telescoping section of the arm shown in FIG. 23.

[0054] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the telescoping section of the arm shown in FIG. 23.

[0055] FIG. 26 is a side view of the alternative supplemental dispenser of FIG. 19 with folding arms attached to and hanging vertically from a spindle of a toilet paper dispenser.

[0056] FIG. 27 is a side view of the alternative supplemental dispenser of FIG. 19 with folding arms attached to and hanging vertically from a spindle of a toilet paper dispenser, and a spacer being attached to place the dispenser in a non vertical position relative to the wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate system, structure or manner.

[0058] Referring to the figures in general, in one embodiment is provided a supplementary dispenser 10 is provided for storing and dispensing folded tissue sheets 250 from a toilet paper dispenser 100, the supplemental dispenser 10 having extending and retracting support arms 400,500, a container 200, and an interior volume 210.

[0059] FIG. 2 is a side view of supplemental dispenser 200 with folding arms 400,500 attached to and hanging from a spindle 150 of a toilet paper dispenser 100, and a positioning bracket 300 being opened (indicated by angle 322) to place the dispenser container 200 in a non vertical position relative to the wall as schematically indicated by angle 34. Positioning bracket 320 can be pivotally connected to container 200. Container 200 can include recess 310 to that, when closed, positioning bracket 320 is substantially if not completely recessed relative to bottom 300 of container.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of conventional toilet paper dispenser 100 with supplemental dispenser 10 attached to the spindle 150, where the supplemental dispenser 10 has been rotated to a non-vertical position and the door 220 opened.

[0061] In one embodiment supplemental dispenser 10 can be provided for dispensing pre-moistened or dry tissue sheets 250 from a container housing 200. In one embodiment, various types of sheets 250 can be dispensed from supplemental dispenser 10, such as dry or pre-moistened tissues. In one embodiment, supplemental dispenser 10 can dispense individual stacked interfolded sheetseither dry or pre-moistened. Such stacked configurations for dry or pre-moistened sheets are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0062] Referring particularly to the figures, container housing 200 can have has a configuration with a width and a depth to contain conventionally available pre-moistened wipes. Container housing 200 can include an interior volume 210 in which the tissue sheets 250 are stored and dispensed from. Container housing 200 may take on any shape or configuration, and the rectangular box-type configuration shown in the figures is for illustrative purposes only. Top 205 of container 200 can include dispensing opening 208 (to interior volume 210) which can be sealed/closed by door 220. In different embodiments dispensing opening 208 may be included on any side of container housing 200. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the dispensing opening 208 is shown on the top 205. In various embodiments dispensing opening 208 may take on any suitable shape or configuration.

[0063] The container housing 200 may be formed of any conventional material, and may be a relatively inexpensive plastic disposable material, paperboard material, paper, cardboard, and the like. It may be desired to form the container housing 200 of a liquid impermeable material if it is desired to contain and dispense premoistened tissue sheets 250. In one embodiment, container housing 250 may be formed of any type of material, including a liquid absorbent, and the pre-moistened tissue sheets 250 may be encased in a liquid impermeable film. Alternatively, interior volume 210 may be lined with the film. The premoistened sheets 250 may be provided in a refill package or cartridge that may be placed into the interior volume 210, the refill package including the liquid impermeable film. In this configuration, the container 200 can have a resealable wall, lid, or other member that may be opened to allow a refill cartridge of tissues to be inserted into the interior volume 210.

[0064] It may further be desired that interior volume 210 include a door 220 over a dispensing opening 208. In the case of pre-moistened sheets 250, door 220 may be hinged with hinge 224 and when door 220 is closed, it prevents significant loss of moisture from sheets 250 and prevents undesired drying out. In one embodiment door can be snap closed on top 205 with lock 226. In on embodiment door 220 can be frictionally locked with a rim of opening 208.

[0065] In one embodiment supplemental dispenser 10 can be supported on toilet paper dispenser 100 by a plurality of arms 400,500. In one embodiment the support arms 400,500 can be foldably connected to container 200 by hinges 402,502.

[0066] In one embodiment supplemental dispenser 10 can be attached to a conventionally available toilet paper dispenser 100 having a roll of toilet paper 170. Such fixtures 100 are well known and a typical fixture 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, with a frame 110, support arms 120, and recesses 130, along with a telescoping spindle 150. Each of the support arms 120 typically includes a recess 130. A conventional spindle 150 having tabs 160 on each end is typically inserted through a hollow core of a roll of toilet paper 170 (not shown) and received in the recesses 130.

[0067] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternative version of a supplemental dispenser 200 with folding/pivoting arms 400,500 which arms are also telescopically extendable (respectively via telescoping sections 470,570) to vary the depth from which the dispenser will hang vertically from a spindle 150 of a toilet paper dispenser 100.

[0068] FIG. 20 is a schematic view of one of the arms 500 shown in FIG. 19 taken from the external side of the arm 500. FIG. 21 is a side view of arm 500 taken from the internal side, where arm 500 is in a retracted position (with telescoping section 570 in its lowermost position) and locked in place in such retracted position (via locking button 574 locking into the lowermost opening of plurality of openings 568), and schematically the length of such upper portion is indicated as L1. FIG. 22 is a side view of arm 500 taken from the internal side, where telescoping section 570 arm is in an extended position and locked in place in such extended position (via locking button 574 locking into the uppermost opening of plurality of openings 568), and schematically the length of such upper portion is indicated as L2 where L2 is larger than L1. Any intermediate telescoping position for telescoping section 570 can be selected via locking button 574 into one of the intermediate openings of plurality of openings where the length of such upper section will be between L1 and L2. Arm 400 can be constructed substantially similar to arm 500.

[0069] FIG. 23 is a top view of arm 400, where telescoping section 470 arm is in a retracted position and locked in place in such retracted position (via locking button 474 locking into the lowermost opening of plurality of openings 468). Arrow 490 schematically indicates that locking button 474 can be pushed in to unlock arm and move to another position. FIG. 24 is an internal side view of the telescoping section 470 of arm 400, and FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the telescoping section 470. Telescoping section 470 can include second end 476, locking button 474, and stopping tables 478. Locking button 474 can be biased outside of telescoping section via biased section 480.

[0070] FIG. 26 is a side view of the alternative supplemental dispenser 200 with folding arms 400,500 attached to and hanging vertically from a spindle 150 of a toilet paper dispenser 100. Gap 30 indicates the distance between dispenser bottom 30 and wall 20. The distance of the upper section of container 200 to the bottom of the roll of toilet paper 170 can be varied by changing the amount of telescoping (e.g., L1, L2, or some other length) of the two telescoping sections 470 and 570.

[0071] FIG. 27 is a side view of alternative supplemental dispenser 200 with folding arms 400,500 attached to and hanging from a spindle 150 of a toilet paper dispenser 100, and a positioning arm/spacer 350 being attached to place the dispenser container 200 in a non vertical position relative to the wall as schematically indicated by angle 34. Positioning arm 350 can be threaded to container 200

[0072] The following is a list of reference numerals:

TABLE-US-00001 LIST FOR REFERENCE NUMERALS (Part No.) (Description) 10 method and apparatus 20 wall 30 gap 34 angle 100 toilet paper dispenser 110 frame 120 pair of posts or bracket members 124 line parallel to longitudinal axis 126 rotation arrow 130 aperture, socket, recess, or bore 150 spindle 152 first portion 154 second portion 156 spring 160 unitary stub-shaft extremities 170 roll of toilet paper 175 sheet of toilet paper 200 container 202 interior volume 203 bottom section 205 top section 206 top lock 207 top hinge 210 recessed area in top section 220 door 222 opening in top of container 224 hinge for door 226 lock for door 250 plurality of sheets (wetted or dry) 255 individual moistened sheet 300 bottom 310 recessed portion 315 threaded socket 320 positioning bracket 330 hinge 350 positioning arm 354 threaded area 400 arm 402 hinge 410 first end 420 second end 430 central bore or socket 440 smaller notch 450 length 454 thickened portion 460 aperture 462 outer wall 464 inner wall 468 plurality of openings 470 telescoping section 474 locking button 476 second end 478 stopping tabs 480 biased section 490 arrow 500 arm 502 hinge 510 first end 520 second end 530 central bore or socket 540 smaller notch 550 length 554 thickened portion 560 aperture 562 outer wall 564 inner wall 568 plurality of openings 570 telescoping section 574 locking button 576 second end 578 stopping tabs 580 biased section 590 arrow

[0073] All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

[0074] It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.