Abstract:
A paper towel dispenser includes a body and a removable, decorative panel secured to the body, and the panel includes a translucent insert. A dispenser support holds towels and secures the body to a wall. A light source is positioned within the dispenser just behind the insert. Power is supplied to the light source for illuminating the dispenser and highlighting the decorative panel. A light switch may be provided for controlling power to the light source by way of user action, a timer, ambient lighting conditions, and/or the like.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/369,525, filed Aug. 1, 2016, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to paper towel dispensers and, more particularly, paper towel dispensers having a replaceable decorative backlit panel. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Conventionally, paper towels are dispensed in non-descript dispensers that operate in different manners and different configurations. The problem is that at night or in less-than-optimum lighting conditions it may be difficult to see the towels or the method of dispensing them in order to operate the dispenser properly. 
         [0004]    Therefore, what is needed is a system and method for dispensing paper towels when ambient lighting renders it difficult to see or dispense the towels. Among other things, such system and method should preferably allow for the use of various decorative covers without detracting from the overall decorative effect desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention, accordingly, provides a paper towel dispenser having an even and pleasant light source that may be turned on and off as desired, without adversely affecting the operation or decorative design of the dispenser. Accordingly, a paper towel dispenser comprises a body and one or more lights mounted on the body. A decorative panel is removably mounted on the front of the body and over the one or more lights, and at least a portion of the panel permits light to pass through. A power source is electrically coupled to the one or more lights and preferably mounted to the rear of the body. A dispenser support mountable to a wall is preferably pivotably attached to the body for partially enclosing and removably holding, within the interior thereof, paper towels for dispensing when the body is in a closed position. Preferably, means, such as a latch, is provided for securing the body to the dispenser support, and a latch release is provided for user-release of the latch. 
         [0006]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplar illuminated paper towel dispenser according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the towel dispenser of  FIG. 1 , as viewed pursuant to line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , with a decorative panel removed; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the body of the towel dispenser, as viewed pursuant to line  3 - 3  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the decorative panel of the towel dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a partially exploded view of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplar wall panel and towel support for the towel dispenser of  FIG. 1 , which holds the towels in the dispenser and attaches the towel dispenser to the wall; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the wall panel and towel support with the towel dispenser of  FIG. 1  attached; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplar illuminated paper towel dispenser according to an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Additionally, as used herein, the term “substantially” is to be construed as a term of approximation. 
         [0017]    For definitional purposes, the terms “front”, “rear”, “side”, “top”, and the like, as used throughout this disclosure, are used in their normal sense in reference to directions and views shown in the accompanying Figures, and are not to be construed as absolute directions or in any way limiting to the application of this technology. More specifically, a front view is exemplified in  FIG. 1  by line  2 - 2 , and a rear view is exemplified in  FIG. 1  by line  3 - 3 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the reference numeral  100  generally designates an illuminated paper towel dispenser embodying features of the present invention. Towel dispenser  100  includes a body  102  and a decorative panel  104  that is preferably replaceable and removably mounted on the front of the body. Decorative panel  104  is configured to add an attractive appearance to towel dispenser  100  and to be replaceable with other decorative panels. Decorative panel  104  preferably contains an insert  105  which is preferably a sheet of material, such as plastic, which is transluscent, transparent or semi-transparent, providing a controlled interior view as well as allowing the interior lighting to serve as a night-light or other lighting feature. Reference numeral  117  represents a portion of a dispenser support to which body  102  is pivotably attached, as discussed in further detail below with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0019]    Towel dispenser  100  further incorporates interior illumination as described in further detail below. Decorative panel  104  preferably includes latches  106  (see also  FIG. 4 ), and body  102  defines corresponding latch holes  102 a (see also  FIG. 3 ) for receiving latches  106  to secure decorative panel  104  to body  102 . As shown more clearly in  FIG. 2 , body  102  contains lights  108 , preferably positioned on upper and lower portions of body  102 , to provide illumination. Lights  108  may be any light source, such as, by way of example but not limitation, light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), fluorescent lights (including compact fluorescent lamps), incandescent bulbs, and the like. Towel dispenser  100  and portions thereof may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as plastic, or the like. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of body  102 , as viewed pursuant to line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , with decorative panel  104  removed to exemplify the placement of upper and lower lights  108  by means of adjustable light brackets  110 . A power source  112  is preferably attached to the front side of body  102  for providing access, on the rear side of the body, as shown in  FIG. 3 , to the power source. Power source  112  may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, one or more batteries, or a power converter that receives alternating current (AC) and converts the AC to a form of electrical power usable by the lights. A light switch cover  114  is optionally attached to the front of body  102  for providing access, on the rear side of the body as shown in  FIG. 3 , to light switch  116 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a rear perspective view of body  102 , as viewed pursuant to line  3 - 3  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 3  exemplifies how power source  112  may be configured as a housing for holding batteries which may be readily accessed. Power, as electrical current, is conducted via lines  115  to a light switch  116  which is preferably also attached to the back side of body  102  for controlling power from power source  112  via lines  113  to lights  108  ( FIG. 2 ). Alternatively, light switch  116  may be activated (i.e., turned on) by a timer  134 , an ambient light sensor  130  ( FIG. 1 ) which activates the switch when light falls below a predetermined level, and/or a motion detector  132  ( FIG. 1 ) which activates the light switch when motion is detected proximate to the dispenser (electrical wiring coupling ambient light sensor  130  and motion detector  132  to switch  116  is not shown, as it is considered to be understood by a person skilled in the art). Still further, light switch  116  could be operative as a rheostat to provide variable brightness levels. Light switch  116  may also incorporate a processor to control activation of the light switch based on any combination of factors, such as time, ambient light, motion, and the like. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a rear perspective view of decorative panel  104  and insert  105 , together with latches  106 , which clip into latch holes  102 a to secure decorative panel  104  to body  102 . Fasteners, such as screw-and-washer retainers  107  are preferably used to secure insert  105  to decorative panel  104 , although it is contemplated that any number of techniques could be used to the same end.  FIG. 4A  is an exploded view showing insert  105  apart from panel  104 . Alternatively, insert  105  may be secured to panel  104  using adhesive or any conventional technique well-known to those skilled in the art to join together or integrate panel  104  and insert  105 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view exemplifying dispenser support  117  for mounting towel dispenser  100  to a wall. Dispenser support  117  is exemplified as comprising a towel support  118  configured to hold towels  119  ( FIG. 6 ) in towel dispenser  100 . Towel support  118  preferably includes a wall panel  120  for securing towel support  118  to a wall. Wall panel  120  preferably defines slots such as slots  120   a  through which fasteners, such as screws (not shown), may be passed into a wall, or which may be used to hang the dispenser on hooks. Means such as pins or rivets  122  are provided for pivotably connecting body  102  to towel support  118 . Towel support  118  includes a receiver  121  for holding and dispensing through an opening  118   a  flat paper towels, rolled paper towels, or the like. It is contemplated that dispenser support  117  may alternatively be formed by integrating wall panel  120  and towel support  118  as a single unit. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows body  102  of towel dispenser  100  attached via rivets  122  to towel support  118 , and as opened for towel or power source replacement. Receiver  121  is exemplified with a roll of paper towels  119  positioned in receiver  121 . 
         [0025]    In operation, wall panel  120  with towel support  118  is mounted to a wall, paper towel dispenser  100  is mounted on the towel support, and power source  112  is made ready for supplying power, such as by being provided with fresh batteries. Paper towels  119  are loaded into receiver  121  with a first paper towel extending through opening  118   a . Switch  116  is then activated for supplying electrical power from power source  112  to lights  108 . Switch  116  may optionally be activated by user action, a timer, and/or ambient light conditions. Switch  116  preferably also allows for varying the lumens emitted from lights  108 . Power source or paper towels may be replenished by opening body  102  as shown in  FIG. 6 , discussed above. 
         [0026]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an illuminated paper towel dispenser  200  according to an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , but for the positioning of lights  108  as indicated by reference numeral  202  on the front side of body  102  directly behind insert  105 , thereby providing more direct illumination than with the placement of lights  108  as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Operation of the paper towel dispenser of  FIG. 7  is substantially similar to operation of the dispenser of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         [0027]    The use of the present invention provides a number of advantages over the prior art. For example, efficient and pleasant lighting is provided that is not excessive and that is well-placed. The light panel cannot disrupt the operation of the dispenser, including towel replenishment, power source replacement, and decorative panel replacement. 
         [0028]    Such systems and methods should, among other things, allow for the use of various decorative covers without obstructing the light or causing undesirable visual effects or otherwise detracting from the overall decorative effect desired. 
         [0029]    It is understood that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example, the lights may be powered from a power outlet in a home. Ambient light sensor  130  and motion detector  132  may be positioned behind the decorative panel, on the panel shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, proximate power source  112 . 
         [0030]    Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.