Abstract:
A toilet tissue dispensing apparatus which automatically dispenses a predetermined length of toilet tissue is herein described. A toilet tissue roll is contained within an enclosure and is fed from a front panel through a small slot. A motion sensor detects a user&#39;s hand and automatically initiates the feeding of the tissue. A digital readout displays an approximate number of sheets remaining on the roll. When a pre-determined minimum number of sheets are left, the digital display begins to flash, thereby indicating the need to replenish the tissue. The dispenser is installed in a recessed manner within a bathroom wall capable of being accessed in a drawer-like manner for tissue roll replacement.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/328,474 filed Apr. 27, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic toilet paper dispensers, and in particular, to an automatically dispensing electronic toilet paper dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Rolls of toilet paper and an associated dispenser are nearly ubiquitous fixtures anywhere there is a toilet. Toilet paper is usually dispensed from a horizontally-placed toilet paper holder located close to the toilet for easy access. 
     While such dispensers are indubitably functional, they have a number of drawbacks. First, the freewheeling design often results in accidentally dispensing more toilet paper than was desired, which results in waste. If an attempt is made to re-roll the paper, it becomes an unsightly mess and can be unsanitary. 
     Moreover, elderly or disabled persons may suffer from reduced manual dexterity that inhibits their ability to unroll the toilet paper. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide powered toilet paper dispensers. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,200, issued in the name of Stone, describes a toilet tissue dispensing assembly attachable to an existing wall-mounted toilet tissue dispenser. The Stone apparatus further includes a motor-driven gear assembly. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,265, issued in the name of Hawkins, describes an electronic toilet tissue dispenser with a continuous dispensing function actuated by placing your hand in front of a sensor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,021, issued in the name of Nelson, describes a combined rolled paper product and liquid fluid dispenser with a button-actuated automatic toilet paper unrolling mechanism. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,015, issued in the name of Byrd et al., describes a hands-free electric paper towel dispenser with a sensing mechanism actuated by placing an object, such as a hand, adjacent to the front cover. 
     While these apparatuses fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such apparatus are difficult to refill. Furthermore, many such apparatus contain or partially contain the toilet paper roll which makes it difficult to determine when a roll is nearly expended. Also, many such apparatuses are unnecessarily difficult to operate, either in terms of complexity or physical requirements. Accordingly, there exists a need for an electronic toilet paper dispenser without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for an electronic toilet paper dispenser which is simple to evaluate, operate, and refill. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recessed, wall-mounted electronic toilet tissue dispenser that dispenses toilet tissue automatically and without requiring physical actuation. The apparatus includes a housing for the toilet tissue and a motion sensor which actuates a drive roller to dispense a predetermined amount of the toilet tissue through the front of the housing when triggered. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide ready access to the interior of the apparatus in order to replace the toilet tissue roll. The apparatus includes a pair of opposing tracks mounted within a wall cavity. The tracks support the housing and allow a user to easily slide the housing outwardly from the wall cavity in order to access the tissue roll. The tissue roll is retained on a common spring-loaded cylindrical tissue roll holder within the housing. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a latch on a face plate of the housing which attaches to the bathroom wall so that the apparatus does not accidently open between refills. The latch is readily released by pressing a push button on an edge of the face plate. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to automatically dispense toilet paper when the motion sensor is triggered. The motion sensor actuates a motor located within the housing when drives a drive arm and drive roller. The drive arm provides a spring-loaded force against the drive roller and a lower portion of the roll of toilet tissue, causing the roll of toilet tissue to rotate by a predetermined amount and consequently dispenser a predetermined amount of toilet tissue through the face plate. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a display on an exterior surface of the face plate which provides a numerical display of the approximate remaining number of sheets of tissue on the roll. The display is a digital display which is operated by a control box which includes a software counter that monitors the accumulative cycling of the motor to calculate the total amount of tissue dispensed, and which flashes when the amount of toilet paper remaining is low. The digital display includes a reset button that allows the display and software counter to be reset when a toilet tissue roll is replaced. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a constant, uninterrupted power source by hardwiring the electrical and electronic components of the apparatus into an available 110-volt electrical power supply within the bathroom wall. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of installing the apparatus in a wall, placing a roll of tissue paper in the housing, passing a hand through the sensor beam one (1) or more times until a desired length of toilet tissue is dispensed, replenishing the toilet tissue by pressing the release button to unlatch the face plate latch, resetting the display counter, and benefiting from automatic and hands-free dispensing of toilet tissue. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of an electronic toilet tissue dispenser  10  depicting installation within a bathroom wall  110 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the electronic toilet tissue dispenser  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of the electronic toilet tissue dispenser  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is another section view of the electronic toilet tissue dispenser  10  taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is another section view of the electronic toilet tissue dispenser  10  taken along section line C-C (see  FIG. 3 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is an electrical block diagram of the electronic toilet tissue dispenser  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 electronic toilet tissue dispenser 
               
               
                 20 
                 face plate 
               
               
                 22 
                 dispensing slot 
               
               
                 30 
                 release button 
               
               
                 32 
                 face plate latch 
               
               
                 33 
                 tissue hub 
               
               
                 34 
                 tissue chute 
               
               
                 35 
                 housing 
               
               
                 36 
                 roll holder 
               
               
                 37 
                 first track 
               
               
                 38 
                 second track 
               
               
                 39 
                 access cover 
               
               
                 40 
                 latch 
               
               
                 50 
                 sensor enclosure 
               
               
                 51 
                 sensor 
               
               
                 52 
                 sensor beam 
               
               
                 56 
                 digital display 
               
               
                 57 
                 reset button 
               
               
                 80 
                 motor 
               
               
                 81 
                 first belt roller 
               
               
                 82 
                 motor bracket 
               
               
                 83 
                 second belt roller 
               
               
                 84 
                 drive roller 
               
               
                 86 
                 drive arm 
               
               
                 87 
                 drive belt 
               
               
                 88 
                 torsion spring 
               
               
                 90 
                 control box 
               
               
                 91 
                 drive arm mounting bracket 
               
               
                 92 
                 internal wiring 
               
               
                 94 
                 electrical supply wiring 
               
               
                 100 
                 toilet 
               
               
                 110 
                 bathroom wall 
               
               
                 115 
                 wall cavity 
               
               
                 120 
                 toilet tissue 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6  However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of an electronic toilet tissue dispenser (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , depicting installation adjacent to an existing toilet  100  and within a bathroom wall  110  structure, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  provides a wall-mounted electronic toilet tissue dispenser which automatically releases a predetermined amount of toilet tissue  120  upon activation of a motion sensor  51  via a respective sensor beam  52 . The apparatus  10  comprises a face plate  20  and an attached rectangular housing  35  envisioned to be made of injection-molded plastic. The apparatus  10  slides in and out of a wall cavity  115  in a drawer-like manner upon a pair of opposing ball-bearing-type tracks  37 ,  38  allowing access and replenishment of a standard roll of toilet tissue  120  stored within. Interruption of a sensor beam portion  52  of the sensor  51  provides activation and dispensing of the toilet tissue  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a face plate  20 , a rectangular housing  35 , a first track  37 , and a second track  38 . The face plate  20  comprises a flat rectangular member which lies flat against a bathroom wall surface  110  and comprises a user interface feature to automatically dispense toilet tissue  120 . The face plate  20  provides an attachment means to a sensor enclosure  50  which further comprises a sensor  51  and a digital display  56 . The sensor  51  detects a presence of a user&#39;s hand, thereby activating the apparatus  10  and dispensing a length of toilet tissue  120  from a tissue dispensing slot  22  also located upon the face plate  20 . The digital display  56  is envisioned to numerically display an approximate remaining number of sheets of tissue  120  within the apparatus  10 . The digital display  56  is envisioned to provide a flashing mode to warn a user of a low level of toilet tissue  120  and a counter reset button  57 . 
     The housing  35  extends rearwardly from the face plate  20  at a right angle, thereby protruding into the bathroom wall  110  (see  FIG. 1 ). The housing  35  provides protective containment of electrical and electronic equipment necessary for the operation of the apparatus  10  as well as providing support of a roll of toilet tissue  120 . The housing  35  provides access to the toilet tissue hub  33  along a top surface via a access cover  39  which is secured by a latch  40  and being of sufficient area to easily allow a user to replenish the roll of toilet tissue  120  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The housing  35  is envisioned to be supported along inner portions of the bathroom wall  110  via the first  37  and second  38  track portions attached to a support structure within the wall portion  110 . The tracks  37 ,  38  allow the housing  35  and face plate  20  portions to be extended from the bathroom wall portion  110 , thereby allowing a user to replenish an internally contained roll of toilet tissue  120 . The tracks  37 ,  38  comprise common commercially-available linear ball-bearing devices typically used to support common drawer structures (also see  FIG. 4 ). The tracks  37 ,  38  comprise a matched pair being arranged in a parallel minor-image manner along opposite sides of the housing  35 . Said tracks  37 ,  38  provide smooth linear motioning of the apparatus  10  and are envisioned to utilize common components such as, but not limited to: low-friction ball bearings, TEFLON® sliders, and the like. The face plate  20  is affixed to the bathroom wall  110  via a face plate latch  32  which is actuated via a release push button  30  located upon an upper edge of the face plate  20 , thereby allowing a user to release the face plate  20  from the wall  110  and extend the housing  35  outwardly to allow replenishment of said tissue  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , section views of the apparatus  10  taken along section lines A-A, B-B, and C-C, respectively, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Upon activation of the previously described sensor  51 , the apparatus  10  provides automatic dispensing of a predetermined length of toilet tissue  120 . The apparatus  10  comprises a tissue chute  34 , a motor  80 , a motor bracket  82 , a drive roller  84 , a drive arm  86 , a drive belt  87 , and a control box  90 . 
     The housing  35  provides support of a roll of toilet tissue  120  upon an internal tissue hub  33  affixed to opposing inner side wall portions of said housing  35 . The tissue hub  33  is envisioned to comprise a conventional spring-loaded cylindrical tissue roll holder  36  providing easy installation and removal of a roll of common toilet tissue  120  through the aforementioned access cover  39 . The toilet tissue  120  is dispensed via a powered circumferential drive roller  84  which contacts and rotatingly motions a lower external surface of the roll of tissue  120 . The drive roller  84  is powered by a motor  80  mounted to a floor portion of the housing  35  via a motor bracket  82 . Said drive roller  84  is supported by a drive arm  86  which provides a spring-loaded force against said drive roller  84  and subsequently against the toilet tissue  120 , via a torsion spring  88  which is integrated into a drive arm mounting bracket  91 . Said drive arm mounting bracket  91  pivotingly anchors the drive arm  86  to the floor portion of the housing  35 , thereby positioning the drive arm  86  and drive roller  84  in a cantilever manner beneath the roll of toilet tissue  120 . Said motor  80  is in mechanical communication with said drive roller  84  via a drive belt  87 . The motor  80  drives a first belt roller  81 , which motions the belt  87  to force a second belt roller  83  being in mechanical communication with the drive roller  84 . The drive roller  84  maintains rolling contact with an exterior surface of the toilet tissue roll  120 , thereby propelling a length of toilet tissue  120  through a flat funnel-shaped tissue chute  34  which extends horizontally to the aforementioned tissue dispensing slot portion  22 , allowing said toilet tissue  120  to protrude outwardly from the face plate  20  as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an electrical block diagram depicting the major electrical components of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Electrical power is supplied to the apparatus  10  in a hard-wired manner from available 110-volt electrical supply wiring  94  within the bathroom wall  110 . The power is in turn routed to a control box  90  within the housing  35 . The control box  90  provides a protective enclosure to various electrical and electronic equipment necessary to operate the apparatus  10  such as, but not limited to; circuit boards, microprocessors, relays, embedded software, and the like. Input signals are routed to the control box  90  via common electrical wiring  92 , from the sensor  51  to allow actuation of the tissue dispensing motor  80 . The control box  90  is also envisioned to monitor and calculate a remaining amount of tissue  120  based upon a software counter which monitors accumulative cycling of the tissue dispensing motor  80 , thereby providing a numerical display of a remaining approximate number of sheets of tissue  120  upon the digital display  56 . The digital display  56  may be reset to zero upon pressing the reset button  57 . Additionally, the control box  90  is also envisioned to cause the digital display  56  to display a flashing mode to warn a user of a low level of toilet tissue  120 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed within an existing stud wall as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: cutting and framing an appropriately sized wall cavity  115  into a bathroom wall  110  preferably adjacent to an existing toilet  100  at a desired location into which the apparatus  10  is to be installed; mounting the track portions  37 ,  38  to opposing side portions within the wall cavity  115 ; extending the housing  35  completely outwardly from the bathroom wall  110 ; connecting electrical supply wiring  94  to the apparatus  10  using conventional electrical connection methods; removing the access cover  39  using the latch  40 ; installing a new roll of toilet tissue  120  upon the tissue holder  36 , then affixing the roll holder  36  with a mounted roll of toilet tissue  120  into the tissue hubs  33 ; manually feeding a length of tissue  120  through the tissue chute  34  until the tissue  120  protrudes from the tissue dispensing slot  22 ; replacing the access cover  39 ; and, pushing the housing  35  inwardly toward a surface of the bathroom wall  110  until the face plate  20  is flush to the wall  110  and the face plate latch  32  is securely engaged. The apparatus  10  is now ready to provide automatic toilet tissue  120  dispensing. 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: passing one&#39;s hand through the sensor beam  52  repeatedly until a desired length of toilet tissue  120  is dispensed; continuing to utilize the apparatus  10  until the digital display  56  flashes to indicate a low level of toilet tissue  120 ; replenishing the toilet tissue  120  by pressing the release button  30  to unlatch the face plate latch  32 ; manually motioning the apparatus  10  outwardly from the wall  110 ; removing the access cover  39  using the latch  40 ; installing a new roll of toilet tissue  120  upon the tissue hub  33  in a conventional manner; replacing the access cover  39 ; sliding the apparatus  10  against the bathroom wall  110  until the face plate  20  contacts said bathroom wall  110  and the face plate latch  32  is secured to said wall  110 ; manually motioning the apparatus  10  outwardly from the wall  110 ; securing the apparatus  10  to the wall  110  as described above; and, benefiting from automatic and efficient “hands-free” dispensing of toilet tissue  120  afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.