Abstract:
The invention broadly comprises a combination disposable towel and utensil holder comprising a base with a post attached to the base at one end of the post, and a receptacle attached to the base. The receptacle is positioned proximate the post and shaped to complement the base. The receptacle can have an open end and walls. A receptacle can be attached to the base. The base can also comprise a primary and a secondary base segment, and the receptacle can be attached to the secondary base and the post can be attached to the primary base. In some aspects, an arm is attached to the upper portion of the receptacle and the arm is operatively arranged to hold a disposable towel roll on the holder and cooperate with a dome on the base. A knob can be operatively arranged on the arm to cooperate with the dome on the base.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to household items, and, more particularly, to a combination disposable towel holder and utensil holder. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Disposable towel holders and different means to hold kitchen utensils are known in the art. A variety of disposable towel holding and dispensing means have been provided. Typically, disposable towel holder and dispensing devices have a structure to retain the towel roll and a structure that act as a base to secure the retention means. Additional features could include resistance means to prevent or hinder undesired rotation. Similarity in the basic function of the components of towel holders by no means should be considered structural similarity between the different disposable towel holders. Some towel holders have retention means to prevent uncontrolled rotation of a disposable towel roll, some have retaining means used to hold the towel rolls securely on the holder, and some have holding structures for vertical or horizontal holding and dispensing. Despite these variations on the general towel holder theme, most towel holder are one dimensional, in that they only serve one purpose, holding paper towels. 
         [0003]    Utensil holders of various kinds have also been known. Most utensil holders are a simple receptacle designed for one purpose, holding utensils. Missing from the art is article of manufacture that can combine the useful attributes of both a towel holder and a utensil holder in a single appliance. Often counter tops of kitchens are crowded by a disposable towel holder and a utensil holder. The space normally dedicated to these two separate common household items can deprive a kitchen of precious counter space and can disorganize a kitchen. 
         [0004]    Thus, there is a need for a an article of manufacture capable of holding and dispensing towels and holding utensils in a manner that maximizes the use of counter space and better organizes utensils. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention broadly comprises a combination disposable towel and utensil holder comprising a base with a post attached to the base at one end of the post, and a receptacle attached to the base. The receptacle is positioned proximate the base and shaped to complement the base. The receptacle can have an open end and walls. The base can be comprised of a primary and a secondary base segment. The receptacle can be attached to the secondary base segment and the post can be attached to primary base segment. 
         [0006]    In some aspects, the base is circular. The base can also include a rim at an outer perimeter of the base. The rim extends vertically from an upper surface of the base. In some aspects, the receptacle is fixedly attached to an outer perimeter of the base. In some aspects an arm is attached to the receptacle in a manner that the arm is positioned to hold a disposable towel roll on the holder. A flexible attachment can be attached to the arm such that it is operatively arranged to interact with the interior of a disposable towel roll as the arm holds the roll. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the receptacle is attached to an upper surface of the base, or a receptacle base is attached to the base and the receptacle is attached to an upper surface of the receptacle base. A head can be removably attached to the top of the post and the head can be removably attached with a compression or friction fitting. In some embodiments, the post is threaded on one end, said post is attached to said base with the threaded end. In some aspects, the receptacle is vertically aligned and oriented to hold cooking utensils. 
         [0008]    The invention further broadly comprises a combination disposable towel and utensil holder with a base with a dome attached to the base at a position roughly proximate the center of the base. The dome can be flexible. A receptacle is attached to the base. The receptacle can have an open end and walls. In some aspects, an arm is attached to the upper portion of the receptacle and the arm is operatively arranged to hold a disposable towel roll on the holder and cooperate with the dome. 
         [0009]    In some aspects, the arm further comprises a knob that is operatively arranged to interact with the interior of a disposable towel roll and cooperate with the dome. The knob can be flexible and can be arranged to hinder rotation of disposable towel rolls. In some aspects, an arm is positioned to cooperate with the dome to hold a disposable towel roll. The receptacle can be vertically aligned and oriented to hold cooking utensils. 
         [0010]    It is a general object of the present invention to provide a single device that can hold a disposable towel roll and utensils. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a single device that can hold a disposable towel roll and utensils in a manner that uses a minimal amount of counter space. 
         [0012]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a holder of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the holder shown in  FIG. 1  with a disposable towel roll on the holder; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the holder shown in  FIG. 1  with a disposable towel roll on the holder, taken generally along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the holder in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the holder shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a holder of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the holder shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the holder shown in  FIG. 6 , taken generally along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the holder shown in  FIG. 6 ; and, 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is bottom plan view of the holder shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. In the description below, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, and their derivatives, should be interpreted from the perspective of one viewing the invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]    Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
         [0027]    In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of holder  10 . Base  12 , which supports holder  10 , is shown having two portions, a primary base segment  14  that is circular and a secondary base segment  16  that is generally a half circle attached to main base portion  14 . It should be understood that primary base segment  14  can be various other shapes, which can include but is not limited to oval, square, triangular, asymmetric shapes, or some variation on those general shapes. Secondary base segment  16  can also vary from the shape shown and described. Possible alternatives are similar to those described for base segment  14 . In some aspects, base  12  is a single element without a primary and secondary segment. 
         [0028]    In some aspects, attached to base  12  is rim  18  that can extend vertically from the upper surface of base  12 . Rim  18  can be constructed of a substance that is pliable such as rubber or latex; however, other alternatives are viable alternatives as well. For example, rim  18  can be part of a base cover that is formed of stamped steel or another metal that covers the entire base  12 . Extension of rim  18  vertically from the upper surface of base  12  can vary in height from a slight ridge to a height that lends itself for supporting the lower edge of a disposable towel roll. Rim  18  can also vary in height around base  12  so as to have some portions higher than others. Attachment of rim  18  to base  12  can be accomplished with a compression fit in which rim  18  is a single molded unit that is stretched over base  12 . In some embodiments, rim  18  is attached to base  12  with an adhesive or similar attachment means. In the case of a solid metallic rim  18 , the rim is integral or attached to base  12 . 
         [0029]    Attached to base  12 , proximate the center of base portion  14 , is post  20 . In embodiments that have base  12  formed from a single segment, post  20  would be generally centered on base  12 . Various materials can be used to construct post  20 , which includes but is not limited to wood, metal, abs, plastics, acrylic, or substances similar to those materials. Other structures that form holder  10  can be formed from similar substances. A detachable connection can be used to attach post  20  to base  12 , such as the threaded means shown in  FIG. 4 , or various other detachable attachment means known in the art. Conversely, post  20  can be fixedly attached to base  12  using another means known to one skilled in the art. Disposed atop post  20  is head  24 , which is held upon post  20  as described infra. 
         [0030]    Holder  10  also includes receptacle  22  attached to secondary base segment  16 . Receptacle  22  is shown positioned on secondary base  16 , but other embodiments could also attach receptacle  22  to the perimeter of primary or main base portion  14 , with secondary base segment  16  eliminated. Receptacle  22  is shaped in a manner that enables the outer wall of the receptacle that faces post  20  to be disposed proximate the perimeter of base portion  14 . The curved exterior of receptacle  22  can aid in the maximization of the space used by holder  10  and decrease the footprint of holder  10 . Receptacle  22  is not limited to only curved structures and other shaped and sized receptacles can be used. Receptacle  22  has walls that provide an open mouth to insert utensils or other items, but receptacle  22  could take other forms that do not have walls, such as a mesh or a lattice structure (not shown). 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of holder  10  with disposable towel roll  26  on the holder. From this vantage point, one can notice the placement of receptacle  22  in close proximity to base  12  and paper towel roll  26 . Receptacle  22  is depicted curved along the outer circumference of towel roll  26 . This close relationship of receptacle  22  to towel roll  26  can enable holder  10  to use less counter space. Receptacle  22  is depicted as straddling one side of holder  10  with a curved exterior. However, receptacle  22  could also be rectangular, circular, or some other shape. In some aspects, receptacle  22  can encircle more of base  12  leaving only a portion of the base open for the exit of disposable towel sheets. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of holder  10  shown with a disposable towel roll  26  on holder  10 , taken generally along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . Post  20  is shown inserted through tube  27  of towel roll  26  with head  24  inserted in the top of post  20 . The interior of tube  27  can have a space between it and the exterior of post  20  or post  20  can be a thick enough to abut the interior of tube  27 . Post  20  can also be any thickness between those two extremes as well. 
         [0033]    Head  24  serves as an element that holds paper towel rolls  26  on holder  10 . Head  24  can be held upon post  20  with a compression fitting  28  that uses friction to hold the head upon the post. Head  24  can be held atop post  20  using various other attachment elements which can include, but is not limited to threading head  24  into post  20 , or another similar detachable attachment method. Head  24  is shown positioned above the upper edge of tube  27 , but it should be appreciated that the height of post  20  can vary and bring the edges of head  24  in contact with tube  27  to restrict rotation of roll  26 . Head  24  can be positioned and designed to offer varying degrees of resistance to rotation towel roll  26 . 
         [0034]    Post  20  is shown as a hollow tube with a threaded end  30 , but portions, or the entirety, of post  20  can also be solid or semi-solid. A threaded nut  36  fastens post  20  to base  12  by threading upon threaded end  30 . In some aspects, a washer  38  can be implemented to ensure that post  20  remains securely fastened to base  12 . To aid in the assembly and sturdiness of the attachment of post  20  to base  12 , ring  32  can be secured to the base of post  20 . Alternatively, post  20  can be secured to base  12  using a means that is not detachable, including, but not limited to welding, adhesive, or a friction fitting. 
         [0035]    In some aspects, base  12  can be weighted with multiple weighted portions  13  and  17  for weighting primary base  14  and secondary base  16 , respectively. Weighted portions  13  and  17  can be encased within a covering or veneer that forms part of base  12 . In embodiments with a single base segment forming base  12 , a single weight portion would suffice. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of holder  10 . This view better demonstrates the rim  18  that can cover the entire edge of base  12 . In some aspects, rim  18  can be an elastomeric material that can deter the slipping of holder  10  on counter surfaces. Rim  18  can extend around the edge of base  12  to the underside of the base or just cover the edge of base  12 . In the case of a stamped metallic cover on base  12 , rim  18  can also have an edge that is rolled under the base. Post  20  inserts through hole  34  in base  12  and can then be secured by nut  36  and washer  38 . A friction or compression fitting  28  can attach head  24  to post  20 . The exterior of fitting  28  presses against the interior of post  20  to generate a friction fitting. Other attachment elements could also be used to attach head  24  to post  20 , which can include, but is not limited to a threaded attached (not shown). 
         [0037]    Receptacle  22  can be attached to secondary base  16  using posts (not shown) extending from the base of the receptacle and aligning with holes  40  in secondary base  16 . The posts can use a threaded nut, or another securing element to attach receptacle  22  to secondary base  16 . Alternatively receptacle  22  can attached to secondary base  16  with an adhesive or various other attachment means known in the art. In some aspects, secondary base  16  is not used and receptacle  22  is attached to the perimeter of base  12  (not shown). 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the holder  10  showing bottom  42  of primary base  14  and bottom  44  of secondary base  16 . Bottom  42  shows one location for the attachment of post  20 . Nut  36  and washer  38  are shown proximate the center of bottom  42  recessed with an indentation in base  12 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of holder  110 . At the bottom of holder  110  is base  112  having dome  116  positioned proximate the center of base  112 , and ridge  118  positioned around the perimeter of base  112 . Base  112  can have weighted portion  113  secured to the interior of the base. Receptacle  122  is shown attached proximate the perimeter of base  112 . Receptacle  112  is shown to be roughly a trapezoidal shaped container having rounded edges with a wider upper portion than its base. The shape of receptacle  122  is not limited to trapezoidal shapes and can  122  be various other shapes which include, but are not limited to, those described for receptacle  22 . Attached proximate the upper portion of receptacle  122  is arm  124 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of holder  110 . From this perspective, the positioning of arm  124  relative to base  112  and receptacle  122  is possible. In some aspects, arm  124  is constructed of a flexible material to allow the arm to be flexed and manipulated. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of holder  110  with paper towel roll  128  disposed on the holder, taken generally along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 . In some aspects, attached to the bottom of arm  124  is knob  126 . Knob  126  is positioned to coordinate with dome  116  positioned proximate the center of base  112 . Depending on the length of arm  124  and positioning of dome  116 , knob  126  can be near the end of arm  124  of at some intermediate position on the arm. Disposable towel rolls can be loaded upon holder  110  by lifting arm  124  slightly to enable knob  126  to clear roll  128  and tube  129 . The interior of tube  129  is placed over dome  116  on base  112  and knob  126  is inserted into the interior of tube  129 . Thus, roll  128  is held in place on holder  110  by the interaction of dome  116  and knob  126  on opposite ends of the interior of tube  129 . Rim  118  can aid in the positioning of roll  128  on holder  110  and can hinder unintentional unrolling of the roll. 
         [0042]    Knob  126  can be permanently molded into or secured to arm  124 . Alternatively, knob  126  can be attached to arm  124  using various securing means known in the art. Similarly, dome  116  can be molded into base  112  or attached using an attachment element known to those skilled in the art. Other attachment elements that could be used to attach dome  116  or knob  126  can include a snap fit, rivet, screw, or similar attachment element. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the holder  110 . Receptacle  122  is shown attached to base  112  on prongs  121  of stanchion  120 . Snap fittings  123  inserted through prongs  121  can be used to secure receptacle  122  to stanchion  120 . It should be understood that the attachment of receptacle  122  to holder  110  can be accomplished with various other undisclosed means that would be known to one skilled in the art. One such alternative is an adhesive. Prongs  121  can also be replaced with another structure or removed completely and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention. This exploded view also depicts securing element  114  and washer  30  being used to secure weighted portion  113  of base  112 . Securing element  114  can be various attachment means, or it can be substituted by an epoxy or adhesive. 
         [0044]      FIG. 10  is bottom plan view of holder  110  with base covering  132 . Base  112  can have base covering  132  attached with an adhesive. Base covering  132  can be made from various materials such as foam, rubber, or another elastomeric material. 
         [0045]    Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention are efficiently obtained, although changes and modifications to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed. Although the invention is described by reference to a specific preferred embodiment, it is clear that variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as claimed.