Abstract:
Provided is an toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device for interfacing a container or other containment means with a tissue dispensing apparatus found in public and private restrooms. The device includes one or more tabs for attaching to the container, and for attaching the container to the tissue dispensing apparatus. The tabs may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible, and may be manufactured from a variety of materials including paper, plastic and metal. The attachment mechanisms or schemes may be any of a number of attachment mechanisms to include: mechanical fasteners, glue, Velcro®, adhesives strips, tape, etc. The container may be permanently or removably attached to the tabs, and hence the tissue dispensing apparatus, and may contain tissues, wet wipes, soaps, as well as other toiletries and sundries for use in a restroom.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to toiletry item containers. More particularly, to a device for removably or permanently attaching a container having toiletries and/or various other sundries to a tissue dispensing device such as a toilet paper or paper towel roll/dispenser. This invention claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/921,938, “Toiletry &amp; Sundries Attachment and Containment Device”, filed Apr. 5, 2007. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Various toiletry item dispensers, to include those for containing and dispensing tissues, wet wipes, etc., exist currently. These dispensers/containers typically are stand alone items directed solely toward a single product. Many are one-time use products intended to be disposed of once the toiletry items are fully consumed. Further, these dispensers/containers are not, for the most part, designed to be integrated with other fixtures, containers, or devices found in public and private restrooms. 
         [0003]    Persons of all age may have a need or desire to have both dry and wet wipe materials present in the restroom, along with other toiletry items. A simple, integrated device is needed which: attaches to existing fixtures in the restroom; is simple and easy to install; may be either disposable or reusable; and is cost effective to manufacture and distribute. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The methods and systems herein disclosed advance the art and overcome problems articulated above by providing a toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device that holds for dispensing tissues, wet wipes, etc., and integrates easily with a variety of tissue dispensing apparatus found in public and private restrooms. 
         [0005]    In particular, and by way of example only, according to an embodiment, provided is a toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device including: a containing means for containing toiletry and sundries; and an interfacing means for interfacing the containing means with a tissue dispensing apparatus; wherein the containing means is suspended via the interfacing means in proximity to the tissue dispensing apparatus. 
         [0006]    In yet another embodiment, provided is a toiletry and sundries attachment device including: a first tab having a first attachment mechanism for attaching to a tissue dispensing apparatus and a second attachment mechanism for attaching to a container; and a second tab having a first attachment mechanism for attaching to the tissue dispensing apparatus and a second attachment mechanism for attaching to the container. 
         [0007]    In still another embodiment, provided is a toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device including: a container for containing toiletries and sundries; a first tab having a first attachment mechanism for interfacing with and attaching to a tissue dispensing apparatus, and a second attachment mechanism for interfacing with and attaching to the container; and a second tab having a first attachment mechanism for interfacing with and attaching to the tissue dispensing apparatus, and a second attachment mechanism for interfacing with and attaching to the container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a tab for attaching a toiletry and sundry items, and an integrated containment device, to a tissue dispensing apparatus, according to an embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a tab for attaching a toiletry and sundry items, and an integrated containment device, to a tissue dispensing apparatus, according to an embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a tab for attaching a toiletry and sundry items, and an integrated containment device, to a tissue dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device, according to an embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device, according to an embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a tab for attaching a toiletry and sundry items, and an integrated containment device, to a tissue dispensing apparatus, according to an embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a tab for attaching a toiletry and sundry items, and an integrated containment device, to a tissue dispensing apparatus, according to an embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of a toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device, according to an embodiment; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device, according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Before proceeding with the detailed description, it should be noted that the present teaching is by way of example, not by limitation. The concepts herein are not limited to use or application with one specific type of toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device. Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for the convenience of explanation, shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments, the principles herein may be equally applied in other types of toiletry and sundries attachment and containment devices. 
         [0018]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , various tabs for interfacing a toiletry and sundries containment device, container, or containing means with a tissue dispensing apparatus or device are presented. For the purposes of this disclosure, toiletry and sundries may include, but are not limited to, items typically found in a public or private restroom or bathroom, such as tissue paper, paper towels, cloth towels, wet wipes, soaps, lotions, etc. A tissue dispensing apparatus may be any device or apparatus used primarily or secondarily for the dispensing of tissues, paper towels, cloth towels, etc. As noted in the  FIGS. 1-3 , the tabs may be of varying shape and size, and may include tapered or non-tapered ends, rounded and non-rounded or straight edges, as well as various methods for attaching the tab (and hence the toiletries, etc.) to the tissue dispensing apparatus. The tabs may be manufactured from any flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid or rigid material, such as paper, cardboard, plastic or metal, and may be reusable or disposable. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a tab  100  may include an opening or slot  102  through which may be inserted one end of a tissue or paper towel roller. In this manner, the tab  100  (or tabs) and corresponding containment device are suspended substantially below, but in close proximity to, the roller. In the execution of the present invention, the roller is inserted through a first slot  102  in tab  100 , and subsequently inserted through a second slot (see e.g.  FIG. 4 ) of a second similar tab (see e.g.  FIG. 4 ) such that the ends of the roller extend through and beyond the tabs. 
         [0020]    Each tab, e.g. tab  100 , may also include a means for attaching the tab to a container, containing means, or other containment device. Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the attachment mechanism  104  for attaching tab  100  to a container, containing means, or other containment device (not shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) may include, but is not limited to, an adhesive strip, a semi-permanent adhesive strip, a Velcro® strip, a mechanical fastener, glue, or any other means well known in the art for removably or permanently mechanically fastening one surface to another. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the mechanisms or means  200  and  300  for interfacing the tabs  202  and  302  respectfully with a tissue dispensing apparatus may be an adhesive strip  200 , mechanical fastening device such as Velcro® tabs  300 , or any other mechanical means for removably, semi-permanently or permanently adhering or attaching the tabs, e.g.  202  and  302 , and hence the container, to the tissue dispensing apparatus. These means for attachment may include, but are not limited to, an adhesive strip, a semi-permanent adhesive strip, a Velcro® strip, a mechanical fastener, and glue. In this way, the invention of the present disclosure may be interfaced with any type of tissue dispensing apparatus well known in the art, whether such device includes a roller or is simply a box or bin for holding and dispensing tissues. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tabs, e.g. tabs  100 ,  202  and  302 , are permanently attached to a tissue dispensing apparatus, and a container, containing means, or containment device may be removed from the tabs and replaced. In yet another embodiment, the tabs are removably interfaced with the tissue dispensing apparatus, and the container is permanently attached to the tabs. Stated differently, the tabs are integral to the container, while being removably interfaced with the tissue dispensing apparatus. In yet another embodiment, both the attachment of the tabs to the tissue dispensing apparatus, and the attachment of the tabs to the container, is via a non-permanent attachment scheme. Stated differently, both the tabs and container are removable. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device  401 , in accordance with the present disclosure, is presented. As shown, two tabs  400  and  402  are positioned and aligned to interface with a roller  404  of a tissue dispensing or retaining apparatus or roll  406 . In this manner, a container  408  containing, for example tissues or some form of wet wipe  410 , is removably attached to the roller  404 , and hence the tissue dispensing or retaining apparatus  406 . Importantly, the container  408  may be disposable, replaceable, or reusable. Referring for a moment to tab  400 , one end  412  interfaces with and attaches to the roller  404 , via a hole or slot  413 , while a second end  414  interfaces with and attaches to container  408 . Specifically, in at least one embodiment, the second end  414  of tab  400  is attached (either removably, semi-permanently or permanently) to a bottom surface  416  of container  408  via an adhesive strip  418  or other mechanical attachment means. Alternatively, as shown with tab  402 , one end  420  of tab  402  may be attached to a side  422  or top  423  of container  408  via an adhesive strip  424  or other mechanical attachment means. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, device  401  may be permanently or removably interfaced with tissue dispensing apparatus  406 , and internal to device  401  container  408  may be permanently or removably interfaced with tabs  400  and  402 . Apparatus  406 , with roller  404 , is just one of any number of a type of tissue/toiletry dispensing apparatuses well known in the art with which the invention of the present disclosure may interface. 
         [0023]    In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, tabs  400  and  402  may be flexible or semi-flexible, and may be folded or be bent such that the tabs  400 ,  402  fold over the top  423 , or alternatively under the bottom  416 , of container  408  during shipping and storage. 
         [0024]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , toiletry and sundries containment and attachment device  500  may include a tray  502  or other such device for containing and storing various items found in a bathroom, kitchen, etc, such as bars of soap  504  and a magazine  506 . As contemplated by the present disclosure, any type of container, storage bin, tub, box, tray, or holder may be included in the present invention without departing from the intent thereof. As shown in  FIG. 5 , multiple containment devices (e.g. trays  502  and  508 ) may be included in the device of the present disclosure. The multiple trays  502 ,  508  may be stacked vertically as shown, horizontally, or in any configuration allowing for integration with a tissue dispensing apparatus. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 6 and 7  present plan and side view of a variation on the tabs disclosed above. In  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a tab  600  is shown having a pre-molded or formed curvature or bend  602 . The tab  600  may still include an attachment component or means  604  for attaching the tab  600  (and any corresponding container) to a tissue dispensing apparatus, and an attachment component or means  606  for attaching tab  600  to a container (not shown). In this way, as further highlighted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device of the present disclosure may interface and work with any type of tissue dispensing apparatus, to include those not having a roller. Further, for those dispensing apparatuses having a recessed roller or space for attaching to, the toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device can be positioned to extend beyond and out of the recessed area. 
         [0026]    In particular, referring to the plan view of  FIG. 8  and the side view of  FIG. 9 , one alternative embodiment of a toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device  801  of the present disclosure is presented. Tabs  800  and  802  interface with and attach to tissue ( 803 ) dispensing apparatus  804  via attachment strips or other attachment means  806  and  808  respectively. Similarly, tabs  800  and  802  interface with and attach to container or containment device  810  via attachment strips or other attachment means  812  and  814  respectively. The attachment means  806 ,  808  and  812 ,  814  may provide for either permanent, semi-permanent or removable attachment of tabs  800 ,  802 , and hence container  810 , to apparatus  804 . 
         [0027]    As best highlighted in  FIG. 9 , the curved nature of tabs  800  and  802  allow container  810  to extend below and beyond tissue dispensing apparatus  804 , which in this case does not include a roller mechanism. 
         [0028]    Changes may be made in the above methods, devices and structures without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description and/or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method, device and structure, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.