Patent Publication Number: US-7588209-B2

Title: Multiple-roll toilet tissue holder and dispenser

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the general field of toilet tissue dispensers and is particularly concerned with a multiple-roll toilet tissue holder and dispenser. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Toilet tissue dispensers come in a variety of shapes and styles. Typically, most dispensers include two posts or prongs that extend outwardly and at a right angle from a bathroom wall. The posts are positioned far enough apart so that a spring-loaded cylinder, having a roll of tissue paper thereon, may be fitted between the posts and removably coupled thereto. 
   An empty roll of toilet tissue can be not only a source of embarrassment, but also an inconvenience. When a tissue roll in a home dispenser is empty, a new roll of tissue must be obtained from wherever these rolls are stored in anticipation of usage. Oftentimes, however, additional rolls of toilet tissue are not stored in a place that is convenient when needed. 
   While the problem resulting from an empty toilet tissue roll is often annoying in the case of a single bathroom home, it can be even more bothersome when there are two or more toilet facilities in the home. This is particularly the case when the toilet facilities are located at a remote distance from the storage cabinet used for spare rolls or tissue, such as may well be the case in a multi-floor dwelling. 
   Those confronted with the inconveniences of an empty roll of toilet tissue are oftentimes older persons, or persons physically incapacitated. In these cases, it is often most difficult for such a person to obtain a new roll of toilet tissue, no matter how close by the spares may be stored. 
   In recognition of this problem, the solution proposed in the prior is to provide two single roll dispensers in a side by side relationship relative to each other, so that a spare roll of toilet tissue will be readily available for use when, and if, needed. This type of solution has, however, typically been limited to public institutions such as office buildings, service stations and the like. Oftentimes, this solution has been found unsatisfactory, because tissue from each of the rolls is available simultaneously for use and such tissue is sometimes wasted by some users. 
   There have been developments, over the years, of a variety of dispensers which hold and store a multiplicity of rolls of toilet tissue. With one such dispenser commonly found in public institutions, only one roll of tissue is made available for use at a time, while another roll is held as a spare. Access to the spare roll requires a key, however, and a new roll of tissue is provided only when the janitorial service or the like makes it available. This being the case, the need for the spare roll of tissue often occurs before it becomes available. 
   Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved multiple-roll holder and dispenser. It is a general object of the present invention to provide such an improved multiple-roll holder and dispenser. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In a first broad aspect, the invention provides a toilet tissue holder-dispenser for holding a toilet tissue roll and allowing dispensing of toilet tissue therefrom, the toilet tissue holder-dispenser being usable by an intended user, the toilet tissue holder-dispenser comprising:
         a housing, the housing defining a spare storing section and a distinct dispensing section, the dispensing section defining a dispensing aperture, the toilet tissue roll being alternatively positionable within the spare storing section and the dispensing section, the housing defining a guiding slot extending therethrough between the spare storing and dispensing sections; and   a roll supporting component for supporting the toilet tissue roll, the roll supporting component extending through the guiding slot, the roll supporting component defining a protruding section protruding outwardly from the housing through the guiding slot, the protruding section being graspable by the intended user, the roll supporting component being movable between a spare storing position and a dispensing position, the guiding slot guiding a movement of the roll supporting component between the spare storing and dispensing positions;   wherein when the roll supporting component supports the toilet tissue roll,   when the roll supporting component is in the spare storing position, the toilet tissue roll is located within the spare storing section;   when the roll supporting component is in the dispensing position, the toilet tissue roll is located within the dispensing section and positioned to allow dispensing of the toilet tissue from the dispensing aperture; and   moving the roll supporting component between the spare storing and dispensing positions moves the toilet tissue roll between respectively the spare storing and dispensing sections.       

   Advantages of the present invention include that the proposed toilet tissue roll holder and dispenser allows for one roll to be supported in a dispensing position, and an additional roll or rolls to be held in a spare storing position and moved to the dispensing position when the roll in the dispensing position is exhausted. Hence, the proposed holder and dispenser is adapted to reduce the risk of living the embarrassing and inconveniencing situation of having to deal with an empty roll of toilet tissue. 
   Furthermore, the proposed holder and dispenser allows for the rolls in the spare storing position to be easily moved to an overlying dispensing position through a set of quick and ergonomic steps without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity. 
   Yet, still furthermore, the proposed holder and dispenser allows for the empty rolls to be easily moved to an empty roll storage location, again through a set of quick and ergonomical steps without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity. 
   Also, the proposed tissue roll holder and dispenser allows the storage or multiple spare rolls while, at the same time, covering the toilet tissue from view and providing an aesthetic and decorative external appearance. 
   The proposed tissue roll holder and dispenser is further designed so as to provide a structure that will be simple yet efficient and conform to conventional forms of manufacturing so as to provide a structure that will be economically feasible, long-lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation. 
   Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An embodiment of the present invention will now be disclosed, by way of example, in reference to the following drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1 : in a perspective view, illustrates a toilet tissue holder-dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2 : in a longitudinal cross-sectional view, illustrates some of the internal features of the tissue roll holder-dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 , the tissue roll holder-dispenser being shown with the roll in a dispensing position, a set of spare rolls in a storage position and a set of empty rolls in an empty roll storage position. 
       FIG. 3 : in a partial exploded view with sections taken out, illustrates some of the features of the tissue roll holder-dispenser shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4 : in a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view with sections taken out, illustrates some of the features of tissue roll holder-dispenser shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 ; 
       FIG. 5 : in a partial elevational view with sections taken out, illustrates some of the features of a tissue roll supporting component part of the tissue roll holder-dispenser shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ; 
       FIG. 6 : in a perspective view, illustrates a toilet tissue holder-dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7 : in a side elevational view, illustrates the tissue roll holder-dispenser shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8 : in a longitudinal cross-sectional view, illustrates some of the internal features of the tissue roll holder and dispenser shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
       FIG. 9 : in a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view with sections taken out, illustrates a latch of tissue roll holder and dispenser shown in  FIGS. 6 through 8 , the latch being shown in a latch accessing configuration; 
       FIG. 10 : in a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view with sections taken out, illustrates the latch of tissue roll holder and dispenser shown in  FIGS. 6 through 9 , the latch being shown in a latch retaining configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a toilet tissue holder-dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral  10 . The toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10  holds a toilet tissue roll  26  and allows dispensing of toilet tissue therefrom. The toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10  is usable by an intended user. 
   The toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10  includes a housing  11  defining a spare holding section  12  and a distinct dispensing section  14 , the dispensing section defining a dispensing aperture  48 . The toilet tissue roll  26  is alternatively positionable within the spare storing section  12  and the dispensing section  14 . The housing  11  also defines a guiding slot  15  extending therethrough between the spare storing and dispensing sections  12  and  14 . In some embodiments of the invention, the housing  11  further defines a supporting component storing section  16 . 
   As better shown on  FIG. 2 , a roll supporting component  62  is provided for supporting the toilet tissue roll  26 , the roll supporting component  62  extending through the guiding slot  15 . As described in further details hereinbelow, the roll supporting component  62  defines a protruding section protruding outwardly from the housing  11  through the guiding slot  15 , the protruding section being graspable by the intended user. The roll supporting component  62  is movable between a spare storing position and a dispensing position, the guiding slot  15  guiding a movement of the roll supporting component  62  between the spare storing and dispensing positions. When the roll supporting  62  component supports the toilet tissue roll  26 , the toilet tissue roll  26  is located within the spare storing section  12  when the roll supporting component  62  is in the spare storing position and the toilet tissue roll  26  is located within the dispensing section  14  and positioned to allow dispensing of the toilet tissue from the dispensing aperture  48  when the roll supporting component  62  is in the dispensing position. Moving the roll supporting component  62  between the spare storing and dispensing positions moves the toilet tissue roll  26  between respectively the spare storing and dispensing sections. 
   The spare storing section  12  typically has a generally elongated parallelepiped-shaped configuration. The spare storing section  12  typically includes a front wall  18  and a pair of side walls  20  (only one of which is shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
   As shown more specifically in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rear portion of the spare storing section  12  is typically opened. Typically, a pair of rear-mounting flanges  22  extends inwardly towards each other on the opposed side walls  20  in a substantially perpendicular relationship relative to the latter. The mounting flanges  22  are provided with mounting apertures  24  extending therethrough for allowing the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10  to be optionally mounted or secured to a vertical surface such as a partition wall. 
   As shown more specifically in  FIG. 2 , the spare storing section  12  is configured and sized so as to be able to store at least one and typically a plurality of tissue rolls in a vertically stacked relationship relative to each other. In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, the dispenser-holder  10  is shown adapted to store and dispense conventional toilet tissue rolls  26  (illustrated in phantom lines). 
   It should, however, be understood that the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10  could be used for holding and/or dispensing other types of tissue rolls without departing from the scope of the present invention. Typically, the spare storing section  12  is configured and sized so as to be able to store the largest commercially available toilet tissue rolls  26 . 
   As shown more specifically in  FIG. 3 , the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10  typically further includes a base component  28 . The base component  28  is provided with a base plate  30  adapted to be rested on a substantially horizontal supporting surface such as a floor, a tabletop or the like. The base component  28  also includes a base flange  32  extending substantially upwardly from the base plate  30 . The base flange  32  is configured, sized and positioned so as to substantially fittingly receive the lower portion of the storing section  12  so as to stabilize the latter. 
   Hence, the holder-dispenser also can also be merely stably supported on a horizontal support surface as opposed to being mounted to a vertical supporting surface. Alternatively, the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10  may be both supported on a horizontal supporting surface and simultaneously mounted to a vertical supporting surface. 
   The dispensing section  14  is typically positioned above the spare storing section  12 . Furthermore, the dispensing section  14  typically projects frontwardly relative to the spare storing section  12 . 
   Typically, the side walls  20  project substantially frontwardly from the front wall  18  defining both an angled projecting edge  34  and a parallel projecting edge  36  positioned respectively at an angle and in a parallel relationship relative to the front wall  18 . 
   A lid  38  is typically mounted, at least partially, over the opening defined by the projecting portion of the side walls  20  about the dispensing section  14 . The lid  38  is typically pivotally attached to the remainder of the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10  by a hinge  40  or other suitable means. 
   Typically, although by no means exclusively, the lid  38  includes a lid horizontal portion  42 , a lid vertical portion  44  and a lid angled portion  46 . The lid  38  is configured and sized so as to define a dispensing aperture  48  between the distal edge  50  thereof and a peripheral edge  52  of the front wall  18 . The dispensing aperture  48  is adapted to allow through passage of the unrolled free portion  54  of tissue being dispensed from the toilet tissue roll  26 . 
   As is shown more specifically in  FIG. 3 , a spacing rod  56  typically extends between the forwardly projecting segments of the side walls  20  adjacent an upper corner thereof for maintaining the side walls  20  in a predetermined spaced and parallel relationship relative to each other. 
   As shown more specifically in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a set of cover supporting rods  58  is typically attached to the side walls  20  adjacent an upper peripheral edge thereof and near a rear segment thereof. The cover supporting rods  58  are configured, sized and positioned for supporting the fixed section  60  of the lid  38  for attaching the latter to the remainder of the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10 . 
   As shown more specifically in  FIG. 2 , a roll supporting component  62  is adapted to be inserted in the central channel  64  formed by the rolls  26  for supporting the latter. As shown more specifically in  FIG. 5 , each roll supporting component  62  typically includes a protruding portion, which takes the form of supporting component knob  66  in the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2 , the supporting component knob  66  being adapted to be grasped by an intended user. 
   Each roll supporting component  62  also includes a cylindrical supporting component core  68  extending outwardly from the supporting component knob  66 . Each roll supporting component  62  typically further includes a supporting component sleeve  70  mounted over the supporting component core  68 . Optionally, a knob decorating disc  72  is mounted over the external surface of the knob  66  for improving the aesthetical appearance of the latter. 
   As shown more specifically in  FIG. 2 , a guiding slot is formed in one of the side walls  20  for allowing movement of the supporting component  62  between the spare storage section  12 , the dispensing section  14  and the supporting component storage section  16 . The guiding slot defines a substantially vertical and elongated slot main segment  74  allowing movement of the supporting component  62  and, hence, of the rolls  26  from the spare storage section  12  towards the dispensing and storage component storing sections  14 ,  16 . 
   The guiding slot also includes a slot auxiliary segment  76  extending substantially forwardly and typically at an angle relative to the slot main segment  74  for allowing movement of the rolls  62  towards the dispensing configuration or location shown by the toilet tissue roll  26 ′ in  FIG. 2 . It has been found that having the slot auxiliary segment angled at an angle of about 90 degrees or less relatively to the slot main segment is advantageous as when the slot main segment  74  is positioned substantially vertically, the slot auxiliary segment  76  is angled substantially downwardly, which stabilizes the toilet tissue roll  26 ′ towards the dispensing section  14 . However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the slot main and auxiliary segments  74  and  76  are angled relatively to each other at any other suitable angle. 
   The guiding slot also includes a slot storing segment  80  for storing the roll supporting component, the slot storing segment extending from one of the slot main and auxiliary segments  74  and  76 . The slot storing segment defines a slot first storing sub-segment  78  and a slot second storing sub-segment  80  extending respectively rearwardly and at an angle and in a parallel relationship downwardly relative to the slot main segment  74 . The slot second storing sub-segment  80  is adapted to store spare supporting component  62  while the slot first storing sub-segment  78  is adapted to allow passage of the spare supporting component  62  towards the second slot storing sub-segment  80 . However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the slot storing segment extends in any suitable manner from one of the slot main and auxiliary segments  74  and  76 . 
   The guiding slot also includes a slot enlarged section  82  about the intersection of the slot main segment  74 , the slot dispensing section  76  and the slot first storing sub-segment  78 . The slot enlarged section  82  is configured and sized for allowing through passage of the supporting component sleeve therethrough. 
   In use, the toilet tissue roll  26 ′ in the dispensing position is used in a conventional manner by an intended user by pulling on the free section  54  thereof through the dispensing aperture  48 . The cover distal end  50  may be used for facilitating the tearing or severing of the free portion  54 . 
   Once the toilet tissue roll  26 ′ is emptied from toilet tissue, the central cylinder of the toilet tissue roll  26 ′ may be withdrawn by opening the lid  38 . The empty supporting component  62  is then moved towards the supporting component storing section  16  through the slot first and second storing sub-segments  78 ,  80 . 
   A fresh roll of toilet tissue  26  is then moved from the spare storing section  12  to the dispensing section  14  by sliding the corresponding supporting component  62  along the slot main segment  74  and the slot dispensing section  76 . The knob  66  facilitates grasping of the supporting component  62  while the intended user slides the latter across the slot segments. 
     FIGS. 6 to 10  show a toilet tissue holder-dispenser  110  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The toilet tissue holder-dispenser  110  has many similarities with the a toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10  and only the differences between these two toilet tissue holder-dispensers are described in details hereinbelow. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the a toilet tissue holder-dispenser  110  includes a housing  111  having a substantially elongated and parallelepipedic configuration, but other configurations are within the scope of the claimed invention. The toilet tissue holder-dispenser  110  defines substantially longitudinally opposed spare storing and dispensing sections  112  and  114 . This configuration has an advantage of being relatively economical to manufacture. The discharge aperture  148  of the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  110  is located substantially laterally in register with the dispensing position in which the roll supporting component is when dispensing toilet tissue. 
   A guiding slot  115  extends through the housing  111  between the spare storing and dispensing sections  112  and  114 . The guiding slot  115  is substantially rectilinear and typically extends generally vertically when the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  110  is mounted to a support surface, such as a wall. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the guiding slot  115  has any other suitable configuration. 
   A roll supporting component  126 , for example a substantially elongated and substantially cylindrical roll supporting component  126 , extends through the guiding slot  115 . As better seen in  FIG. 8 , the roll supporting component defines a protruding section  117  protruding outwardly from the housing  111  through the guiding slot  115 , the protruding section  117  being graspable by an intended user. The roll supporting component  126  is movable between a spare storing position and a dispensing position, the guiding slot  115  guiding a movement of the roll supporting component  126  between the spare storing and dispensing positions. 
   The guiding slot  115  defines a slot dispensing section  121 , the roll supporting component  126  extending through the slot dispensing section  121  when the roll supporting component  126  is in the dispensing position. The housing  111  defines a supporting aperture  123  located substantially opposed and substantially in register with the slot dispensing section  121 , the roll supporting component  126  extending through the supporting aperture  123  when the roll supporting component is in the dispensing position. The guiding slot  115  is configured and sized to allow through passage of the roll supporting component  126  therethrough. 
   In some embodiments of the invention the roll-supporting component  126  defines a substantially annular groove  125  extending substantially radially inwardly thereinto, the groove  125  defining a radially innermost wall  127 . Also, the supporting aperture  123  defines a notch  129  extending substantially longitudinally towards the spare storing section  114 . The notch  129  and the groove  125  are configured and sized such that the notch  125  nestingly receives the radially innermost wall  127  when the roll supporting component  126  is in the dispensing position. This configuration of the roll supporting component  126  and of the notch  125  allows to support relatively effectively and relatively stably a first end of the roll supporting component  126  in the dispensing position. 
   To support a second end of the roll supporting component located substantially longitudinally opposed to the first end, the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  110  includes a latch operatively coupled to the housing  111  so as to be movable between a latch retaining configuration, shown in  FIG. 10 , and a latch accessing configuration, shown in  FIG. 9 . In the latch accessing configuration, the latch allows movements of the roll supporting component  126  between the spare storing and dispensing positions and in the latch retaining configuration, the latch prevents movements of the roll supporting component  126  between the spare storing and dispensing positions. Conveniently, in some embodiments of the invention, the latch is movable from the latch retaining configuration to the latch accessing configuration upon moving the roll supporting component  126  from the spare storing position to the dispensing position. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in a specific embodiment of the invention, the latch includes a lever  133  pivotally mounted to the housing  111 , the lever  133  being movable between a lever retaining configuration, shown in  FIG. 10 , and a lever accessing configuration, shown in  FIG. 9 . In the lever retaining configuration, the lever  133  extends substantially across the guiding slot  115 , and in the lever accessing configuration, the lever  113  is substantially retracted from the guiding slot  135 . The lever  133  is attached to the housing  111  substantially adjacent to said slot dispensing section  121 . 
   A retaining pin  135  protrudes from the housing. The retaining pin  135  is located so as to allow the lever  133  to abut thereagainst when the lever  133  is in the lever retaining configuration. For example, the retaining pin  135  is positioned substantially opposed to an attachment pivot  137  relatively to the guiding slot  115 , the attachment pivot  137  being a pivot through which the lever  133  is pivotally attached to the housing  111 . 
   In some embodiments of the invention the lever  133  defines a roll-receiving section  139 , which is for example acrsegment shaped. The roll-receiving section  139  extends substantially across the guiding slot  115  when the lever  133  is in the lever retaining configuration. The roll-receiving section  139  is configured and sized for nestingly receiving the roll supporting component  126  in the dispensing position so as to support the roll supporting component  126  while allowing a rotation of the roll supporting  126  component about its longitudinal axis. 
   The housing  111  defines an end aperture  137  located substantially longitudinally opposed to the spare storing section  112 . The toilet tissue holder-dispenser  110  also includes a lid  138 , the lid  138  being movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein in the closed configuration, the lid  138  extends substantially across the end aperture  137  and in the open configuration, the lid  138  is substantially retracted from the end aperture  137 . For example, but non-limitingly, the lid  138  is hingedly attached to the housing  111  substantially adjacent to the end aperture  137 . 
   In some embodiments of the invention, the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  110  is attachable to a wall or any other suitable supporting surface using fasteners, such as conventional screws. To that effect the housing  111  defining attachment apertures  180 , better seen in  FIG. 8 , extending therethrough for receiving the fasteners, similarly to the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  10 . 
   In use, spare toilet tissue rolls are stored in the spare storing section  114 . To bring a toilet tissue roll to the dispensing section  112 , the roll supporting component  126  is inserted by the intended user through the guiding slot  115  and the central cylinder of the toilet tissue roll  26 . Then, the toilet tissue roll  26  is lifted towards the dispensing section  114  using the grasping section  117 . The guiding slot  115  guides the movement of the toilet tissue roll  26 , which eases the operation of the toilet tissue holder-dispenser  110 , which is an advantage, for example, for people having motricity problems. 
   When the roll supporting component  126  reaches and abuts against the lever  133 , the roll supporting component  126  pivots the lever  133  towards the lever accessing configuration as it is moved towards the dispensing section  114 . Once the roll supporting component  126  has cleared the lever  133 , the lever  133  returns to the lever retaining configuration under the action of gravity until it abuts against the pin  135 . Then the intended user positions the roll supporting component  126  so that it is supported by the notch  129  and the roll supporting section  133 . 
   When the toilet tissue roll  26  is empty, the intended user lifts the lid  138 , grabs the empty central cylinder and withdraw the roll supporting component  126  through the guiding slot  115 , which allows removal of the empty central cylinder from the housing  111 . This is made possible in part by the relative proximity of the lid and dispensing sections. The roll supporting component  126  can then be used once again as described hereinabove. 
   Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.