Patent Publication Number: US-2009236952-A1

Title: Paper towel construction and dispenser

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of paper towels and dispensers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a unique paper towel construction and a novel dispenser that is easily concealed in a functional location in a work environment, such as a kitchen. In addition, the present invention relates to a single hand paper towel dispenser and a towel that does not require the user to hold the roll with his or her other hand in order accurately tear off a desired number of paper towels. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Paper towels are routinely used in kitchens and other settings where food is served. In almost all settings where food is served, paper towel dispensers of some type are used to dispense paper towels for many reasons such as to clean tables, counter surfaces or kitchen appliances. Papers towels are usually sold in a roll having a width of approximately 11 inches and sheets of approximately 6 to 15 inches in length, connected end-to-end along serrated tear lines. Most disposable paper towels have periodic transverse serrations to facilitate separation of discrete lengths or sheets. The paper towel sheets are wound upon a paper core of approximately an inch in diameter, which results in a towel role having a diameter of about 4 to 5 inches in many instances. In certain other instances, sheets of paper towels may have other lengths and widths. 
     One example of a previous paper towel dispenser is the use of a simple U-shaped bracket. This bracket is usually designed to be mounted to a wall or beneath a horizontal cabinet Each end of the bracket is designed to hold one end of the paper towel core, or alternatively, a rod can be axially extended through the center of the paper core and mounted at its ends between the U-shaped bracket. At least one disadvantage of the traditional paper towel dispenser including a U-shaped bracket holder is that a person usually needs to use both hands to dispense the paper towels. This disadvantage represents an inconvenience and difficulty for some people, while one hand is holding a container, object of use, or kitchen element. At such moments, the only option is for the person to find a place to set the object down in order to use both hands to free and tear off one or more sheets of the paper towel. If a user attempts to use inertia and jerk a few sheets of paper towel from the roll, the roll often unreels. The user is then left with the task of rewinding unused segments of paper towels. In other instances, if a user attempts to use inertia to tear sheets of paper towel, the entire roll may be pulled off from the holder. The user must then pick up the roll, rewind any useful portion, and reposition the roll on the holder. Another issue is that if the roll of towels is held with one hand and a length of towel ripped off with the other, the sheets of the paper towel may not tear at the serrated edges between the individual sheets. This action leaves uneven or jagged edges, or strips of paper sheets hanging from the roll. 
     Another disadvantage is that in many modern kitchens, a very clean modern look is desired. It is often preferred that the kitchen not have a cluttered appearance. For example, the placement of the paper towel roll on a counter or mounted beneath a cabinet can create an appearance that detracts from the preferred appearance of the overall kitchen. 
     Therefore, it is be highly desirable to provide a means for dispensing paper towels that only requires a user to use a single hand to produce a desired number of paper towel sheets. It would also be highly desirable to provide a means by which a plurality of paper towels could be mounted in a generally less noticeable way, so as not to detract from the overall appearance of the kitchen. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a unique paper towel construction and a novel dispenser for use with a single hand that is easily concealed in a functional location in a work environment such a kitchen storage that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, a plurality of stacked paper towels is provided including a first paper towel, a second paper towel and a securing element. The first paper towel has a first end portion, an opposing second end portion, a first side and a second side. The second completely separate paper towel has a first end portion, a second opposing end portion, a first side and a second side. The securing element secures one end of the first paper towel to one end of the second paper towel in order to form a bond therebetween. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention, a single hand paper towel dispenser and towel is disclosed having a plurality of generally flat longitudinally stacked paper towels. The stacked paper towels include a first paper towel, a second paper towel, and a securing element. The first paper towel has a first end portion, an opposing second end portion, a first side and a second side. The second paper towel is a completely separate paper towel having a first end portion, an opposing second end portion, a first side, and a second side. The securing element secures one end of the first paper towel to one end of the second paper towel in order to form a bond therebetween. The paper towel dispenser is sized to house the plurality of paper towels. The dispenser includes a slot having a width sized such that a single paper towel may extend therethrough. 
     According to a third aspect of the invention, a single hand paper towel dispenser, towel, and cabinet assembly are provided. The assembly includes a plurality of flat stacked paper towels, a dispenser, and cabinet. The plurality of generally flat stacked paper towels includes a first paper towel and a second paper towel. The first paper towel has a first end portion, an opposing second end portion, a first side and a second side. The second paper towel is a completely separate paper towel and has a first end portion, a second opposing end portion, a first side, and a second side. An adhesive securing element secures one end of the first paper towel to one end of the second paper towel in order to form a bond therebetween. A towel dispenser is sized to house the paper towels. The dispenser includes a slot having a width sized such that a single paper towel may extend therethrough. The cabinet houses work items, and the towel dispenser is formed integrally therewith. 
     The present invention, together with attendant objects and advantages, will be best understood with reference to the detailed description below in connection with the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a plurality of paper towels in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a door mounted paper towel dispenser in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a vertical cross-section of an alternate dispenser embodiment shown for use beneath a cabinet; 
         FIG. 2B  is a vertical cross-section of another alternate dispenser embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a canister dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 3A  is an illustration of a canister dispenser mounted in a drawer according to an embodiment of the invention, and 
         FIG. 3B  is an illustration of a canister mounted to a door beneath a sink; 
         FIG. 3C  is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the dispenser for use with a door. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     The present invention is directed broadly to a unique paper towel construction and a novel dispenser that is easily concealed in a functional location in a work environment such as a kitchen. The present invention provides various advantages over previous structures such as allowing a user to use a single hand to obtain the desired number of paper towel sheets. By allowing a user to use a single hand, his or her other hand may be used to hold another work item such as a kitchen utensil or kitchen plate. In addition, the present invention provides a novel dispenser that can be conveniently hidden from sight in a work environment such as a kitchen while providing paper towels that are readily accessible for use. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a plurality of paper towels  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. Five paper towels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  are shown pulled apart to form an accordion shape with a stack of paper towels  22  therebeneath. Each paper towel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  is a discrete paper towel separate from the remaining towels. The towels include opposing ends  12   a,    12   b,    14   a,    14   b,    16   a,    16   b,    18   a,    18   b,    20   a,    20   b.  The paper towels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  are interconnected to an adjacent paper towel at alternating ends through a securing element. Accordingly, a stack of paper towels  10  is provided that allows one paper towel at a time to be easily removed from the remaining paper towel stack. The stack of paper towels  10  can be formed in a wide variety of sizes and shapes as recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The paper towels  10  may be formed from materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a 2-ply paper towel with a heavy weave/texture is used. This heavier duty type material may be made from recycled paper and have a color selected to suit the needs of a particular user. The securing element may include elements such as an adhesive or a crimped edge. The adhesive can include tackified rubber adhesives, such as natural rubber, olefins, silicones, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyurethanes, styrene-isoprene-styrene and styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, and other elastomers. The adhesive can also include tackified or untackified acrylic adhesives such as copolymers of isooctylacrylate and acrylic acid, which can be polymerized by radiation, solution, suspension, or emulsion techniques. The adhesive should have a low debonding force such that each paper towel can be easily removed from the stack. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a dispenser  20  mounted integral with a cabinet assembly  22  according to an embodiment of the invention. The cabinet assembly  22  includes an upper portion  24  and a lower portion  26 . The dispenser  20  is located at the bottom of the lower portion  26  of the cabinet assembly  22  above a work surface or counter. The dispenser  20  includes a bottom surface  28  with a opening  29  and a top surface  30  to partially enclose the paper towel stack  10 . The bottom surface  28  may be provided with a pivotable corner that opens as illustrated in  FIG. 2B  in order to provide access to the interior of the dispenser  20 . Alternatively, the dispenser may be formed integral with the cabinet assembly  22  with access provided when the door  32  is opened. As shown in the illustration, the dispenser  20  and paper towel stack  10  are substantially hidden from view. A single paper towel  12  extends downward from the dispenser  20  so that it may be easily pulled from the stack with a single hand. It should be recognized that the present invention is useful with a wide variety of cabinet configurations having a range of appearances as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the configurations of two alternate embodiments of the dispenser  40 ,  60  are illustrated. The dispenser  40  is formed integral with the lower portion  26  of the cabinet assembly  22 . The dispenser  40  includes a housing  42  with a door  44 . The housing  40  serves to enclose the paper towel stack  10 . The door  44  is pivotably connected to the housing  42  with a fastening element (not shown) used to secure the door  44  to the housing  42 . The pivotable door  44  provides access to the interior  46  of the housing  42  for replacement of the paper towel stack  10  as necessary. A slot  48  is provided so that an individual paper towel  12  may extend therethrough. The accordion shape of the paper towel stack  10  allows for a single paper towel to be pulled free while bringing an end of the next paper towel into the slot  48  for the next use. With reference to  FIG. 2B , an alternate embodiment of the dispenser  60  is illustrated for use beneath an upper cabinet assembly. The dispenser  60  includes a top portion  62  and a bottom portion  64  that are slideably engaged using a conventional fastening element. The bottom portion  64  may alternately include a pivotable bottom surface  66  as shown in  FIG. 2A  to provide access to the interior to insert additional paper towel stacks  10  as needed. The slot  68  again allows for a single paper towel  12  from the paper towel stack  10  to pass out of the dispenser  60 . 
     A dispenser in the form of an individual canister  70  is shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . The canister  70  includes a removable sleeve  72  and opening or slot  74  in the optional decorative faceplate  76 . The canister  70  may be formed from known materials such as stainless steel. The faceplate  76  may be formed from known materials such as bronze or a soft white matte-finished material. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the canister  70  may be connected to a drawer  82 . The drawer  82  includes an opening  86  sized to accommodate the slot  74  and the faceplate  76 . In this manner, a paper towel may extend outward from the drawer  82 . The canister  70  is removable from the drawer  82  so that an additional paper towel stacks  10  may be placed in the canister  70  as needed. As shown in  FIG. 3B , essentially the same materials may be mounted to a door  90  beneath a work surface  92  including a sink  94 . A bracket  96  is provided to support the canister  70 . The door includes an opening  98  sized to accommodate the slot  74  of the faceplate  76 . In this manner, a paper towel  12  from the paper towel stack  10  may extend outward from the door  90 . 
       FIG. 3C  is an alternate embodiment illustrating the alternate canister  100  mounted to the door  102 . This embodiment operates in essentially the same manner as the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 ,  3 A &amp;  3 B except the canister  100  does not include a decorative faceplate. The bracket  104  supports the canister  100  behind the door  102 . The opening in the canister  100  through which the paper towel  12  exits is sized to correspond with the opening  108  in the door  102 . The canister  100  can again be easily removed and opened for placement of additional paper towel stacks  10 . 
     The dispensers and canisters of the present invention may also includes a spring-loaded back plate that forces the paper towel stack  10  towards the various openings and slots through which an individual paper towel  12  exits. This back plate allows a user to continually remove a single paper towel one at a time until the entire stack is depleted. 
     The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description and attached drawings. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the type and size of specific construction of the dispensers and associated cabinets may be designed in alternate styles as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, these and any other changes which come within the scope of the claims are intended to be embraced herein.