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 The sheets can be withdrawn from an open door.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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/436,531, filed Nov. 7, 2012, which application is incorporated herein by reference and priority of/to which application is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     Dispensing of toilet tissue in roll form is well known in the art. Typical dispensers for tissue rolls generally include a base that is attached to a wall or other supporting surface, and support arms that extend transversely from the base. A spindle is inserted through the roll and engaged in recesses or divots at the ends of the support arms. 
     Numerous dispensers have been developed in the art specifically for dispensing stacked individual tissue sheets. Such dispensers typically permit the user to remove any number of sheets one at a time in a manner such that the adjacent sheet is presented for easy grasping and removal from the dispenser. Efforts have been made to incorporate such dispensers with existing conventional rolled product dispensing fixtures so that the dispenser need not be separately mounted. 
     One embodiment provides an improved folded tissue sheet dispenser adapted for configuration with conventional roll product dispensing fixtures. 
     While certain novel features of this invention shown and described below are pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of the invention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being “critical” or “essential.” 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is a improved folded tissue sheet dispenser adapted for configuration with conventional roll product dispensing fixtures. 
     One embodiment provides a supplemental sheet dispenser compatible with conventional toilet paper dispensing systems. 
     One embodiment provides a supplemental sheet dispenser wherein the sheets may be pre-wetted and supplied in substantially sealed container with sealable access door. In one embodiment the container can include extendable connecting arms which can detachably connect to a conventional toilet paper dispenser. One embodiment provides a dispenser for dry sheets which can be wetted by a liquid added to the container component by the user or consumer. 
     In one embodiment is provided a supplemental dispenser for detachably mounting on a conventional toilet paper dispenser, the apparatus having a container component adapted to accept or pre-loaded with wetted, self-wetting or wettable sheet material. 
     In one embodiment is provided releasable attachment mechanism for the container housing for detachably mounting on a conventional toilet paper dispenser. 
     In one embodiment is provided a detachable mount having extendable arms for attachment of the container conventional toilet-tissue dispenser to releasably engage a toilet-tissue supporting spindle of the dispenser. 
     One embodiment provides a supplementary dispenser configured for dispensing a supply of folded tissues from a dispenser fixture that has extendable and retractable support arms. The fixture may be, for example, a conventional tissue roll dispenser wherein the support arms include a opening at their ends into which the ends of a spindle are received. The spindle is typically inserted through a core or hollow member provided in the bathroom tissue roll. 
     The dispenser includes a housing container having an internal compartment volume configured to retain a supply of folded issue sheets. The housing is not limited to any particular style, configuration, or shape, and may take on any aesthetically pleasing configuration and be made of any conventional material. 
     In one embodiment, the housing is an elongated box-like structure. The housing may be refillable, or can be a disposable item to be discarded after depletion of the tissue supply. It should also be appreciated that the dispenser is not limited to any particular type of product to be dispensed, but is particularly well suited for dispensing a stack of interfolded tissue sheets. The tissue sheets may be dry or pre-moistened. 
     A dispensing opening is defined in a wall of the housing. The opening may be, for example, a door in a top surface, bottom surface, or side surface of the housing. The opening provides a location for a consumer to easily access, grasp, and pull individual tissue sheets from the dispenser. 
     Retractable and extendable support arms can be provided on opposed exterior side walls of the container housing. Each support arm can include an opening with a shape and configuration for engagement with a portion of a spindle. 
     In one embodiment the support arms can be extendable and retractable in positions along their respective tracks allowing the container housing to be adaptable with different fixtures having varying length support arms along with allowing the container housing to provide frictional resistance to the roll of toilet paper. In one particular embodiment, the support arms are variably positionable along their tracks. In one embodiment a releasable engagement mechanism is provided between each support arm and the container housing, which can include a ratcheting mechanism such as a resiliently mounted positioning button which can be connected to one of a plurality of positioning openings disposed along each arms length. 
     In one embodiment the extension member may be resiliently biased towards the openings. Any configuration of engaging members operatively disposed between the slide member and position bar may be used. In an alternate embodiment, each arm may be frictionally retained in position relative to the track. 
     In one embodiment the dispenser may also include a supply of folded tissues disposed within the container housing. The container housing may be openable and refillable with a cartridge of tissues in the form of, for example, a bag or pouch-like container insertable into the housing. 
     In one embodiment is provided a container including an openable door 
     (a) when closed is hermetically seals the interior volume of the container, and 
     (b) when opened provides access to at least one sheet of a plurality of sheets. In one embodiment the door is pivotally connected to the container (e.g. hingedly connected). 
     In one embodiment a basic liquid employed as above described may, for example, be largely a distilled sterile water, water and alcohol, or water, alcohol and an emollient such as lanolin. A fragrance may also be included. Other possible ingredients comprise a humectant, e.g., glycerine or propylene glycol, an appropriate antiseptic or germicidal substance, or a bacteriostat, a mineral oil, an emulsifying agent and a stabilizing agent. While a liquid as, for example, a liquid having a cleansing and sterilizing property may be used, the sheets may alternatively use a treating agent such as a powder, a salve, a cream or the like. 
     In one embodiment the wetted sheets have an adequate tear strength to withstand withdrawal from the container and such sheets they may multilayered. 
     In one embodiment the container and its components are comprised of plastic composition, e.g., a thermoplastic such as polystyrene, polypropylene, a polycarbonate, ABS, etc., and are formed, for example, by an injection molding method. 
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         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. 
         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. 
         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. 
         FIG. 4  is an upper front perspective view dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed. 
         FIG. 5  is a lower front view dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed. 
         FIG. 8  is a left side view dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed. 
         FIG. 9  is a right side view dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed. 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the support arms collapsed with upper lid and middle section closed. 
         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. 
         FIG. 13  is a lower front view dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the support arms folded/pivoted out and lower spacer extended. 
         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. 
         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. 
         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. 
         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. 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom view dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the support arms pivoted out with lower spacer pivoted out/extended. 
         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. 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic view of one of the arms shown in  FIG. 19  taken from the external side of the arm. 
         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. 
         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. 
         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. 
         FIG. 24  is an internal side view of the telescoping section of the arm shown in  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the telescoping section of the arm shown in  FIG. 23 . 
         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. 
         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 
     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. 
     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 . 
       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. 
       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. 
     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 sheets—either dry or pre-moistened. Such stacked configurations for dry or pre-moistened sheets are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     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. 
     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 . 
     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 . 
     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 . 
     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 . 
       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 . 
       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 L 1 .  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 L 2  where L 2  is larger than L 1 . 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 L 1  and L 2 . Arm  400  can be constructed substantially similar to arm  500 . 
       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 . 
       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., L 1 , L 2 , or some other length) of the two telescoping sections  470  and  570 . 
       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 ′ 
     The following is a list of reference numerals: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 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 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     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. 
     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.