Patent ID: 6056235
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: A47K

Abstract:
A refillable dispenser for replacing a standard roll of toilet tissue on a standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder with a roll of selectively dispensable pre-moistened wipes replaceably contained therein so as to allow the roll of selectively dispensable pre-moistened wipes to be readily available in virtually any bathroom and ensure reliable and regular use instead of the standard roll of toilet tissue, wherein the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder comprises a pair of posts, each of which has a proximal end for attaching to a wall and a distal end for extending away from the wall, wherein the pair of posts of the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder are substantially parallel and spaced approximately 13 cm apart and extend substantially perpendicularly from the wall, wherein the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder further comprises a spindle that has a diameter of approximately 2.5 cm and extends from the distal end of one post of the pair of posts of the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder to the distal end of the other post of the pair of posts of the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder, with at least one end of the spindle of the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder being replaceably mounted to the distal end of an associated post of the pair of posts of the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder so as to allow the spindle of the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder to be removed and placed through the standard roll of toilet tissue, and wherein the standard roll of toilet tissue is approximately 11 cm in length and has a hollow axial core with a diameter of approximately 4.5 cm so as to allow the standard roll of toilet tissue to rotate freely on the spindle of the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder, said dispenser comprising:a) a housing for containing a roll of selectively dispensable pre-moistened wipes, and being hollow;b) a core passing freely through said core of said roll of selectively dispensable pre-moistened wipes for rotative motion therebetween and for non-rotatively receiving the spindle of the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder; said core being hollow and extending axially, concentrically, and completely through said housing; andc) a roll of selectively dispensable pre-moistened wipes having a core and being flushable and biodegradable and divided by regularly-spaced full width perforations thereacross to form a roll of individual separable wipes with leading edges; said housing being divided into a long component and a short component being shorter than, detachably attached to, and axially-aligned with said long component of said housing, by a first apparatus for selectively opening said housing for placement of said roll of selectively dispensable pre-moistened wipes therein; said long component of said housing being hollow, and having a length, an innermost axial end being opened and defined by a circumferential rim, and an outermost axial end wall being circular-shaped and having a centerline and a throughbore extending axially through said centerline of said outermost wall of said long component of said housing; said throughbore in said outermost wall of said long component of said housing having a diameter and a perimeter; said first apparatus of said housing including said circumferential rim of said innermost axial end of said long component of said housing having an outermost surface and a circumferential ring extending axially therefrom and circumferentially therearound, flush with said outermost surface of said circumferential rim of said innermost axial end of said long component of said housing; said short component of said housing being hollow, and having a length, an innermost axial end being opened and defined by a circumferential rim, and an outermost axial end wall being circular-shaped and having a centerline and a throughbore extending axially through said centerline of said outermost axial end wall of said short component of said housing; said throughbore in said outermost axial end wall of said short component of said housing having a diameter and a perimeter, with said centerline of said short component of said housing being collinear with said centerline of said long component of said housing; said core being divided into a long component and a short component being shorter than, detachably attached to, and axially-aligned with, said long component of said core, by a second apparatus for selectively opening said core for placement of said roll of selectively dispensable pre-moistened wipes in said housing; said long component of said core being tubular, and having a length, an inner diameter, an outermost axial end disposed around said perimeter of, and opening into, said throughbore in said outermost axial end wall of said long component of said housing, with said long component of said core extending inwardly therefrom, coaxially in said long component of said housing, and terminating in an innermost axial end being open, coplanar with said innermost axial end of said long component of said housing, and defined by a circumferential rim; said short component of said core being tubular, and having a length, an inner diameter, an outermost axial end disposed around said perimeter of, and opening into, said throughbore in said outermost axial end wall of said short component of said housing, with said short component of said core extending inwardly therefrom, coaxially in said short component of said housing, and terminating in a innermost axial end being open, coplanar with said innermost axial end of said short component of said housing, and defined by a circumferential rim.