Patent Abstract:
A concealable waste paper holder for dispensing waste paper from a waste paper roll includes a frame mountable to a wall; a door rotatably mounted to the frame about a door rotational axis between an open position where the waste paper roll is accessible and a closed position where the door is substantially parallel with the wall and conceals the waste paper roll; a spindle for rotationally receiving the waste paper roll about a spindle axis and dispensing the waste paper from the waste paper roll there when the door is is the open position, the spindle carried by the door for rotation with the door, and wherein the spindle axis and the door rotational axis are parallel.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 61/825,353 filed May 20, 2013 and U.S. provisional patent application 61/725,568 filed Nov. 13, 2012 under 35 U.S.C. 119. Both of these applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to toilet paper holders for the bathroom and particularly to toilet paper holders that conceal the toilet paper when not in use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An aspect of the invention involves a concealable waste paper holder for dispensing waste paper from a waste paper roll. The concealable waste paper holder includes a frame mountable to a wall; a door rotatably mounted to the frame about a door rotational axis between an open position where the waste paper roll is accessible and a closed position where the door is substantially parallel with the wall and conceals the waste paper roll; a spindle for rotationally receiving the waste paper roll about a spindle axis and dispensing the waste paper from the waste paper roll there when the door is is the open position, the spindle carried by the door for rotation with the door, and wherein the spindle axis and the door rotational axis are parallel. 
         [0004]    One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of the following: the concealable waste paper holder is a concealable toilet paper holder for dispensing toilet paper from a toilet paper roll; the concealable waste paper holder is a concealable paper towel holder for dispensing paper towel from a paper towel roll; the spindle axis and the door rotational axis are vertical; the spindle axis and the door rotational axis are horizontal; the door rotates about the door rotational axis when a user pushes in on the door at a lateral location offset from the door rotational axis; the concealable waste paper holder includes a door rotation mechanism including an axle that rotates with the door, a roll pin perpendicularly disposed relative to the axle and rotating with the axle, and a roll pin engagement surface that the roll pin slidably engages, the roll pin engagement surface including a groove that the roll pin engages, forming a stop for rotation of the door in the closed position and the open position; the door rotation mechanism includes a spring that urges at least one of the the roll pin and the engagement surface together; the axle of the door rotation mechanism is vertical; and/or the axle of the door rotation mechanism is horizontal. 
         [0005]    An aspect of the invention involves a concealable holder for selectively concealing and accessing one or more objects. The concealable holder includes a frame mountable to a wall; a door rotatably mounted to the frame about a door rotational axis between an open position where the one or more objects are accessible and a closed position where the door is substantially parallel with the wall and conceals the one or more objects; and a holder including one or more sections for holding the one or more objects, the spindle carried by the door for rotation with the door. 
         [0006]    One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of the following: the concealable holder is a concealable shower caddy for selectively concealing and accessing one or more shower objects; the concealable holder is a concealable medicine cabinet for selectively concealing and accessing at least one of one or more medicine cabinet objects and one or more toiletries; the concealable holder is a concealable toilet bowl brush holder for selectively concealing and accessing a toilet bowl brush; the concealable holder is a concealable toilet bowl plunger holder for selectively concealing and accessing a toilet bowl plunger; the door rotational axis is vertical; the door rotational axis is horizontal; the door rotates about the door rotational axis when a user pushes in on the door at a lateral location offset from the door rotational axis; the concealable holder includes a door rotation mechanism including an axle that rotates with the door, a roll pin perpendicularly disposed relative to the axle and rotating with the axle, and a roll pin engagement surface that the roll pin slidably engages, the roll pin engagement surface including a groove that the roll pin engages, forming a stop for rotation of the door in the closed position and the open position; the door rotation mechanism includes a spring that urges at least one of the the roll pin and the engagement surface together; the axle of the door rotation mechanism is vertical; and/or the door rotation mechanism is horizontal. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Toilet paper holders that conceal the toilet paper when not in use have been devised in the past. General problems with these toilet paper holders is that they either are a part of a cabinet storage system, which takes up a lot of space in the bathroom, or they protrude unnecessarily outward from the wall when not in use, decreasing the available space around the toiler and/or creating an unsightly appearance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a concealable toilet paper spindle shown in a closed condition; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 1  shown in a partially opened condition; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 1  shown in an open condition; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed condition; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed condition; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed condition; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed condition; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed condition; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a concealable toilet paper spindle shown in a closed condition; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 9  shown in a closed condition; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 9  shown in a closed condition; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a concealable toilet paper spindle shown in a closed condition; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 12  shown in a closed condition; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the concealable toilet paper spindle of  FIG. 12  shown in a closed condition; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is front elevational view of an embodiment of a concealable medicine shower caddy in a closed condition; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is cross-sectional view taken along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  of a half circle platform of the concealable shower caddy; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a door rotation mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    With reference initially to  FIGS. 1-8 , an embodiment of a concealable toilet paper spindle  100  will be described. FIGS.  1  and  4 - 8  show the concealable toilet paper spindle  100  in a closed condition where toilet paper on and in the spindle  100  is concealed.  FIG. 2  shows the spindle  100  in a partially open condition.  FIG. 3  shows the spindle  100  in a completely open condition. 
         [0026]    The spindle  100  includes a thin rectangular front door panel or door  110  and a half circle platform  120  extending laterally along a bottom edge  130  of the door panel  100 . A vertical spindle  140  extends upwardly from a substantial center of the platform  120 . The vertical spindle  140  includes a central longitudinal axis VS  80  (See  FIG. 2 ). In the closed condition shown in  FIG. 1 , the door panel  100 , platform  120 , and vertical spindle  140  are disposed with a framed housing  150 . The framed housing  150  has a substantially rectangular box shaped housing member  160  with parallel side walls  170 , parallel top/bottom walls  180 , and rear wall  190 . A rectangular frame member  200  is attached to a front of the housing member  160 . An interior of the frame member  200  includes a rectangular opening  210  that the thin rectangular front door panel  110  is disposed within. The frame member  200  includes first and second parallel side members  220 ,  230  and parallel top/bottom members  240 ,  250 . At a centers of top/bottom members  240 ,  250 , the front door panel  110  is rotatably coupled to the parallel top/bottom members  240 ,  250  by top/bottom center rods  260 / 270 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the top/bottom center rods  260 / 270  define vertical rotational axis SDV, which the front door panel  110  rotates about. The toilet paper roll rotates around the vertical axis VS of the vertical spindle  140 , which is parallel with vertical rotational axis SDV. The top/bottom members  240 ,  250  each include first and second magnets  280 ,  290 ,  300 ,  310  and the top/bottom of the front door panel  110  each include first and second magnets  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350 . 
         [0027]    In use, the spindle  100  is provided in the space between wall joists and drywalls. In the position shown in  FIG. 1 , the half circle platform  120 , vertical spindle  140 , and toilet paper thereon sits recessed into the bathroom wall. The front door panel  110  rotates around the center rods  260 ,  270 , effectively creating a free floating and rotating platform  120 . When the user pushes on one side of the front door panel  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the panel  110  rotates horizontally 180 degrees to reveal a roll of toilet paper on the vertical spindle  140 . While the platform  120  can freely rotate 360 degrees, magnets  280 ,  290 ,  300 ,  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350  in the top/bottom members  240 ,  250  and the top/bottom of the front door panel  110  stop the rotating door panel at 180 degrees. This always keeps the front door panel  110  fully open or fully closed with the panel  110  parallel with the top/bottom members  240 ,  250 . When not in use, the front door panel  110  can be turned 180 degrees to have the toilet paper face the wall. Also, while closed, the front door panel  110  and outer framing will be less than  2  inches off the wall  80  (about one third of a regular toilet paper spindle). The frame member  200  will overlap the drywall by 1⅞ inches and utilize flanges to clamp the frame member  200  to the drywall. The door panel  110  and frame member  200  are made of one or more of, but not limited to, different wood tones, stainless steel, and chrome for greater aesthetic appeal. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 9-11  illustrate another embodiment of a concealable toilet paper spindle  400  shown in a closed condition. The concealable horizontal toilet paper spindle  400  is similar to the concealable toilet paper spindle  100 , except instead of the spindle door rotating around a vertical axis, spindle door  410  rotates about a horizontal axis SDH. Also, the concealable toilet paper spindle  400  includes a horizontal spindle  440  with a horizontal spindle axis HS parallel with the horizontal axis SDH of the spindle door  410 . Like elements to those described and shown above with respect to  FIGS. 1-8  are shown with similar reference numbers, but with an “a” suffix and will not be described below. 
         [0029]    This concealable horizontal toilet paper spindle  400  is designed to provide both practical as well as aesthetic value. By utilizing the space between wall joists and drywalls, the horizontal spindle  440  hangs behind the vertically rotating door panel  410 . The front door panel  410  and spindle support arms  445  are attached to framed housing  150   a  that sits recessed into the bathroom wall. The door panel  410  revolves around center rods  460 ,  470  that penetrate the side framing of rectangular frame member  200   a  as well as both sides of the door panel  410 . When the user pushes on either the top or bottom of the door panel  410 , the door will revolve vertically 180 degrees to reveal a roll of toilet paper on horizontal spindle  440 , which is attached to a backside of the door panel  410  via the spindle support arms  445 . While the door panel  410  can freely rotate 360 degrees, magnets  280   a,    290   a,    300   a,    310   a  in the upper and lower framing of rectangular frame member  200   a  will be utilized to stop the rotating door panel  410  at 180 degrees. This always keeps the front door panel  410  fully open or fully closed with the door panel  410  parallel with the upper and lower framing of the of rectangular frame member  200   a.  When not in use, the door panel  410  can be turned 180 degrees to have the toilet paper face into the wall. Also, while closed, the front door panel  410  and rectangular frame member  200   a  will be a little more than 2 inches off the wall  80  (less than half the distance of a regular toilet paper spindle). The rectangular frame member  200   a  will overlap the drywall by 2⅜ inches and utilize flanges to clamp the rectangular frame member  200   a  to the drywall. The door panel  410  and rectangular frame member  200   a  are made of one or more of, but not limited to, different wood tones, stainless steel, and chrome for greater aesthetic appeal. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 12-14  illustrate an embodiment of a paper towel concealable spindle  500  shown in a closed condition. The paper towel concealable spindle  500  is generally similar to the concealable toilet paper spindle  100 , except that the paper towel concealable spindle  500  and framed housing  550  are more vertically elongated to accommodate the more vertically elongated paper towel. Thus, from a front view, as shown in  FIG. 12 , framed housing  550  and frame member  600  have a substantially square configuration or a vertically elongated rectangular configuration instead of horizontally elongated rectangular configuration as shown with the concealable toilet paper spindle  100  of  FIGS. 1-8 . Like elements to those described and shown above with respect to  FIGS. 1-8  are shown with similar reference numbers, but with a “b” suffix and will not be described below. 
         [0031]    The paper towel concealable spindle  500  is designed to provide both practical as well as aesthetic value. By utilizing the space between wall joists and drywalls, vertical spindle  540  sits on a half circle platform  520  behind a horizontally rotating door panel  510 . The front panel  510  and platform  520  will be attached to the framed housing  550  that sits recessed into the bathroom wall. The door panel  510  rotates around center rods  260   b,    270   b  that penetrate the upper and lower framing of frame member  600  as well as the top and bottom of the door panel  510 , effectively creating a free floating and rotating platform  520 . Similar to the concealable spindle  100 , the vertical spindle  540  includes a vertical spindle axis VPS that is parallel with the vertical rotational axis PDV defined by the center rods  260   b,    270   b.  When the user pushes on one side of the door panel  510 , the door panel  510  will rotate horizontally 180 degrees to reveal a paper towel roll on vertical spindle  540 . The spindle  540  will sit atop a 3 3/16 inch diameter removable disc  542  that sits 3/16 into a corresponding recess in the center of the rotating platform  520 . The disc  542  remain unattached/removable  80  (with the spindle  540 ) relative to the platform  520 , allowing for an easier change of paper towels under tight counters. While the platform  520  can freely rotate 360 degrees, magnets  280   b,    290   b ,  300   b,    310   b  in the upper and lower framing of the frame member  600  are utilized to stop the rotating door panel  510  at 180 degrees. This will always keep the front door panel  510  fully open or fully closed with the front door panel  510  parallel with the upper and lower outer framing of the frame member  600 . When not in use, the door panel  510  can be turned 180 degrees to have the paper towel face into the wall. The frame member  600  will overlap the drywall by 2⅞ inches and utilize flanges to clamp the frame member  600  to the drywall. This will allow for more counter workspace, especially in smaller kitchens. The door panel  510  and frame member  600  are made of one or more of, but not limited to, different wood tones, stainless steel, and chrome for greater aesthetic appeal compared to a paper towel roll sitting out on the open counter or hanging from the bottom of the kitchen cabinets. 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , an embodiment of a concealable shower caddy  700  will be described. The concealable shower caddy  700  is shown in a closed condition. The concealable shower caddy  700  is generally similar to the paper towel concealable spindle  500 , except that the concealable shower caddy  700  is more vertically elongated, does not include spindle  540 /disc  542 , and includes at least two vertically stacked shelves  702 ,  703  and sections  704 ,  705 . Like elements to those described and shown above with respect to  FIGS. 1-8  are shown with similar reference numbers, but with a “c” suffix and will not be described below. 
         [0033]    The concealable shower caddy  700  is designed to provide both practical as well as aesthetic value. The concealable shower caddy  700  includes concealable rotating member  706  having a door/front panel  710  that rotates about center rods  260   c,    270   c,  which define vertical rotational axis PDV, and penetrate the upper and lower framing of frame member  712  of framed housing  714  as well as the top and bottom of the door panel  510 . Framed housing  714  sits recessed into the wall in the space between wall joists and drywall  80 (s). The concealable rotating member  706  includes the at least two vertically stacked shelves  702 ,  703  and sections  704 ,  705 . Lower shelf  702  is a half or semicircular platform with a small perimeter retaining wall  720 . Upper shelf  703  is also a half or semicircular platform with a small perimeter retaining wall  722 . Each shelf  702 ,  703  and section  704 ,  705  can be used to store different shower products  80  (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, shaving razor, etc.). 
         [0034]    When the user pushes on one side of the door panel  710 , the concealable rotating member  706  including door panel  710  will rotate horizontally 180 degrees to reveal the shower-related products. While the concealable rotating member  706  can freely rotate 360 degrees, a stopping mechanism around/attached to the pivoting rods will be utilized to stop the rotating door panel  710  at 180 degrees. This allows the front door panel  710  to be fully open or fully closed with the front door panel  710  parallel with the upper and lower outer framing of the frame member  712 . When not in use, the door panel  710  can be turned 180 degrees to have the shelves  702 ,  703  face into the wall. 
         [0035]    In the embodiments shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 1-14 , the stopping mechanism may replace the magnets. 
         [0036]    The door panel  710  and frame member  712  are made of one or more of, but not limited to, plastic, different wood tones, stainless steel, chrome and other various finishes for greater aesthetic appeal. 
         [0037]    Although described as a concealable shower caddy  700 , in an alternative embodiment, the structure shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 15 and 16  is a concealable medicine cabinet that is installed in a bathroom wall  80  (e.g., over the sink) to hold toiletries and other medicine cabinet items. 
         [0038]    In a further embodiment, the structure shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 15 and 16  does not include upper shelf  703  and is a concealable toilet bowl brush holder that is installed in a bathroom wall to hold a toilet bowl brush on the shelf  702 . 
         [0039]    In a still further embodiment, the structure shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 15 and 16  does not include upper shelf  703  and is a concealable toilet bowl plunger that is installed in a bathroom wall to hold a toilet bowl plunger on the shelf  702 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 17 , an embodiment of door rotation mechanism  800  used with the spindles, caddies, and holders shown and described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-16  will be described. The door rotation mechanism  800  not only allows for rotation in door  801 , but also provides stops for both an open door position and a closed door position. 
         [0041]    In the door rotation mechanism  800 , the door  801  is rigidly connected to an axle shaft  802  via a press fit. The axle shaft  802  is pivotally connected to a detent  803 . The detent  803  is rigidly attached to a housing member or enclosure  804  using screws  809  that thread into bosses  812  provided in the enclosure  804 . The axle shaft  802  has an annular groove  810  with a retaining ring  811  installed that the door  801  rests against. An inner roll pin  805  is press fit into an inner cross-drilled hole  813  in and perpendicular to the axle shaft  802 . 
         [0042]    When the door  801  is in the open or closed position, the inner role pin  805  rests inside a v-shaped groove  815  on an inner surface of the detent  803 . A spring  806  is axially located on an outer portion of the axle shaft  802  and contacts an outer surface of the detent  803 . A washer  807  is axially located on the outer portion of the axle shaft  802  and contacts an outer end of the spring  806 . An outer roll pin  808  is press fit into an outer cross-drilled hole  814  in and perpendicular to the axle shaft  802 . 
         [0043]    The installed inner roll pin  805  and installed outer roll pin  808  are sufficiently close together to compress the spring  806 , developing a contact force between the inner roll pin  805  and detent  803 . This contact force pulls the upper roll pin  805  into the bottom of the groove  815  in the detent  803  and provides a centering force for the door  801  in the enclosure  804 . 
         [0044]    When the door  801  is pivoted within the enclosure  804 , the axle shaft  802  is forced to rotate together with the door  801 . When the axle  802  is rotated, the inner roll pin  805  is forced in and out of the groove  815  in the inner surface of the detent  803  and the outer roll pin  808  further compresses the spring  806 . The axle  802  and door  801  are pushed inward slightly until the inner roll pin  805  has completely moved out of the groove  815 . Once the inner roll pin  805  has completely moved out of the groove, the force required to continue rotating the door is reduced because the spring  806  is no longer being further compressed. 
         [0045]    When the door  801  has been pivoted close to 180 degrees, the inner roll pin  805  starts to re-engage the groove  815  in the inner surface of the detent  803 . The spring force draws the inner roll pin  805  into the groove  815 . The axle  802  and door  801  drop slightly until the inner roll pin  805  comes to rest fully within the groove  815 . 
         [0046]    Although the door rotation mechanism  800  of  FIG. 17  shows the door  801  rotating with the axle  802  about a vertical rotational door axis, in an alternative embodiment,  FIG. 17  is rotated 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise so that the door  801  rotates with the axle  802  about a horizontal rotational door axis. Such an embodiment is used, for example, in the embodiment of the concealable horizontal toilet paper spindle  400  of  FIGS. 9-11 . 
         [0047]    The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. 
         [0048]    Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items e present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4