US20160037978A1

US20160037978A1 - Toilet Paper Dispenser Device

Info

Publication number: US20160037978A1
Application number: US14/451,594
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerardo Granados
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-05
Filing date: 2014-08-05
Publication date: 2016-02-11

Abstract

A toilet paper dispenser device holds and sequentially dispenses for use a plurality of rolls of toilet paper. The device includes a chute for holding rolls of toilet paper. Rollers are coupled to the chute and positioned to extend across a bottom end of the chute for supporting one roll of toilet paper in a use position adjacent the bottom end of the chute. A forward opening in a front section of the perimeter wall permits dispensing sheets from of the roll of toilet paper in the use position. A retainer is coupled to the chute to obstruct passage of the rolls of toilet paper through the chute. An actuator is coupled to the chute and operationally coupled to the retainer such that manipulation of the actuator releases one of the rolls of toilet paper into the use position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to dispenser devices and more particularly pertains to a new dispenser device for holding and sequentially dispensing for use a plurality of rolls of toilet paper.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a chute for holding rolls of toilet paper. Rollers are coupled to the chute and positioned to extend across a bottom end of the chute for supporting one roll of toilet paper in a use position adjacent the bottom end of the chute. A forward opening in a front section of the perimeter wall permits dispensing sheets from of the roll of toilet paper in the use position. A retainer is coupled to the chute to obstruct passage of the rolls of toilet paper through the chute. An actuator is coupled to the chute and operationally coupled to the retainer such that manipulation of the actuator releases one of the rolls of toilet paper into the use position.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top front side perspective view of a toilet paper dispenser device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a detailed partial side view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new dispenser device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the toilet paper dispenser device 10 generally comprises a perimeter wall 12 defining a chute 14 configured for holding a plurality of rolls of toilet paper 16. The chute 14 extends between a top end 18 and a bottom end 20. The top end 14 is open and the bottom end 20 is open. Opposed bottom edges 22 of lateral sections 24 of the perimeter wall 12 are convexly arcuate. Each of a plurality of rollers 26 is coupled to the chute 14. Each roller 26 is positioned to extend across the bottom end 20 of the chute 14 such that the rollers 26 are configured for supporting one of the rolls of toilet paper 16 in a use position 28 adjacent the bottom end 20 of the chute 14. The rollers 26 extend between the lateral sections 24 of the perimeter wall 12. The rollers 26 are positioned in spaced relationship along the opposed bottom edges 22 of the lateral sections 24 wherein upwardly facing surfaces 30 of the rollers 26 are configured for complementing and supporting a convex outer surface 32 of one of the rolls of toilet paper 16 in the use position 28. A lid 70 may be coupled to the top end 18 of the chute 14 to cover the top end 18 and prevent access to the rolls of toilet paper 16. A lock 72 may be coupled to the lid 70 and the chute 14 to secure the lid 70 in a closed position over the top end 18 to prevent potential theft of the rolls of toilet paper 16 when the device 10 is utilized in a public place.
A front section 34 of the perimeter wall 12 has a lower edge 36 positioned in spaced relationship to the rollers 26 defining a forward opening 38 configured for dispensing therethrough sheets of toilet paper from the roll of toilet paper 16 in the use position 28.
A retainer 40 is coupled to the chute 14 between the top end 18 and the bottom end 20. The retainer 40 extends across the chute 14 such that the retainer 40 is configured to obstruct passage of the rolls of toilet paper 16 through the chute 14. The retainer 40 comprises a panel 42 and a pair of side walls 44 coupled to and extending from the panel 42. A respective distal end 46 of each of the side walls 44 relative to the panel 42 is pivotally coupled to the chute 14 wherein the panel 42 is pivotable within the chute 14. The panel 42 is arcuate wherein the panel 42 defines a seat 48 configured for receiving and supporting one of the rolls of toilet paper 16. The seat 48 is complementary to the convexly arcuate outer surface 32 of a roll of toilet paper 16 which has not yet been used. The curvature of the panel 42 may be consistent and define a single radius relative to a pivot point 50 of the retainer 40. Thus, the panel 42 is designed to extend around the roll of toilet paper 16 being dispensed to the use position 28 and inhibit dispensing of more than one roll of toilet paper 16 at a time.
An actuator 52 is coupled to the chute 14. The actuator 52 is operationally coupled to the retainer 40 wherein manipulation of the actuator 52 removes the retainer 40 from obstructing the chute 14 wherein the actuator 52 is configured for releasing one of the rolls of toilet paper 16 into the use position 28. The actuator 52 may be a crank 54 extending through the perimeter wall 12. The crank 54 is coupled to the retainer 40 wherein rotation of the crank 54 pivots the retainer 40 within the chute 14.
Each of a pair of notches 56 extends into a respective lateral section 24 of the perimeter wall 12. Each of the notches 56 is positioned between the lower edge 36 of the front section 34 of the perimeter wall 12 and the bottom edge 22 of the respective lateral section 24 of the perimeter wall 12 wherein each of the notches 56 is aligned with the forward opening 38.
A plurality of mounting holes 58 extends through the perimeter wall 12. A back section 60 of the perimeter wall 12 has an upper flange 62 extending upwardly from the top end 18 of the chute 14. A pair of the mounting holes 58 extends through the upper flange 62.
A slit 64 extends through the perimeter wall 12 wherein the slit 64 is configured for permitting visual inspection of an interior of the chute 14 to determine when the chute 14 is empty above the use position 28. The slit 64 extends through the front section 34 of the perimeter wall 12. The slit 64 extends between the top end 18 and the bottom end 20 of the chute 14. Each of a pair of plates 66 is coupled to the perimeter wall 12 to strengthen the chute 14. Each of the plates 66 extends across the slit 64. Each of the plates 66 is positioned adjacent to a respective one of the top end 18 of the chute 14 and the lower edge 36 of the front section 34 of the perimeter wall 12.
In use, the chute 14 is coupled to a support wall 68 in a desired position. Rolls of toilet paper 16 are loaded into the chute 14 through the top end 18. Manipulation of the actuator 52 pivots the retainer 40 within the chute 14 to release one of the rolls of toilet paper 16 to the use position 28. In the use position 28, the roll of toilet paper 16 is supported on rollers 26 facilitating rotation of the roll of toilet paper 16 to dispense the toilet paper as needed. When the roll of toilet paper 16 in the use position is empty, the core is removed and the actuator 52 manipulated to release a new roll of toilet paper 16 to the use position 28.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

I claim:

1. A toilet paper dispenser device comprising:

a perimeter wall defining a chute configured for holding a plurality of rolls of toilet paper, said chute extending between a top end and a bottom end, said top end being open, said bottom end being open;

a plurality of rollers being coupled to said chute, each said roller being positioned to extend across said bottom end of said chute such that said rollers are configured for supporting one of the rolls of toilet paper in a use position adjacent said bottom end of said chute;

a front section of said perimeter wall having a lower edge positioned in spaced relationship to said rollers defining a forward opening configured for dispensing therethrough sheets of toilet paper from the roll of toilet paper in said use position;

a retainer coupled to said chute between said top end and said bottom end, said retainer extending across said chute such that said retainer is configured to obstruct passage of the rolls of toilet paper through said chute;

an actuator coupled to said chute, said actuator being operationally coupled to said retainer wherein manipulation of said actuator removes said retainer from obstructing said chute wherein said actuator is configured for releasing one of the rolls of toilet paper into said use position.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

opposed bottom edges of lateral sections of said perimeter wall being convexly arcuate; and

said rollers extending between said lateral sections of said perimeter wall, said rollers being positioned in spaced relationship along said opposed bottom edge of said lateral sections wherein upwardly facing surfaces of said rollers are configured for complementing and supporting a convex outer surface of one of the rolls of toilet paper in said use position.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising said retainer comprising a panel and a pair of side walls coupled to and extending from said panel, a respective distal end of each of said side walls relative to said panel being pivotally coupled to said chute wherein said panel is pivotable within said chute.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising said panel being arcuate wherein said panel defines a seat configured for receiving and supporting one of the rolls of toilet paper, said seat being complementary to a convexly arcuate outer surface of a full roll of toilet paper.

5. The device of claim 3, further comprising said actuator being a crank extending through said perimeter wall and being coupled to said retainer wherein rotation of said crank pivots said retainer within said chute.

6. The device of claim 2, further comprising a pair of notches, each of said notches extending into a respective lateral section of said perimeter wall, each of said notches being positioned between said lower edge of said front section of said perimeter wall and said bottom edge of said respective lateral section of said perimeter wall wherein each of said notches is aligned with said forward opening.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mounting holes extending through said perimeter wall.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a back section of said perimeter wall having an upper flange extending upwardly from said top end of said chute, a pair of said mounting holes extending through said upper flange.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a slit extending through said perimeter wall wherein said slit is configured for permitting visual inspection of said chute to determine when said chute is empty above said use position.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising said slit extending through said front section of said perimeter wall.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising said slit extending between said top end and said bottom end of said chute.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a pair of plates being coupled to said perimeter wall, each of said plates extending across said slit.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising each of said plates being positioned adjacent to a respective one of said top end of said chute and said lower edge of said front section of said perimeter wall.

14. A toilet paper dispenser device comprising:

a perimeter wall defining a chute configured for holding a plurality of rolls of toilet paper, said chute extending between a top end and a bottom end, said top end being open, said bottom end being open, opposed bottom edges of lateral sections of said perimeter wall being convexly arcuate;

a plurality of rollers being coupled to said chute, each said roller being positioned to extend across said bottom end of said chute such that said rollers are configured for supporting one of the rolls of toilet paper in a use position adjacent said bottom end of said chute, said rollers extending between said lateral sections of said perimeter wall, said rollers being positioned in spaced relationship along said opposed bottom edge of said lateral sections wherein upwardly facing surfaces of said rollers are configured for complementing and supporting a convex outer surface of one of the rolls of toilet paper in said use position;

a retainer coupled to said chute between said top end and said bottom end, said retainer extending across said chute such that said retainer is configured to obstruct passage of the rolls of toilet paper through said chute, said retainer comprising a panel and a pair of side walls coupled to and extending from said panel, a respective distal end of each of said side walls relative to said panel being pivotally coupled to said chute wherein said panel is pivotable within said chute, said panel being arcuate wherein said panel defines a seat configured for receiving and supporting one of the rolls of toilet paper, said seat being complementary to a convexly arcuate outer surface of a full roll of toilet paper;

an actuator coupled to said chute, said actuator being operationally coupled to said retainer wherein manipulation of said actuator removes said retainer from obstructing said chute wherein said actuator is configured for releasing one of the rolls of toilet paper into said use position, said actuator being a crank extending through said perimeter wall and being coupled to said retainer wherein rotation of said crank pivots said retainer within said chute;

a pair of notches, each of said notches extending into a respective lateral section of said perimeter wall, each of said notches being positioned between said lower edge of said front section of said perimeter wall and said bottom edge of said respective lateral section of said perimeter wall wherein each of said notches is aligned with said forward opening;

a plurality of mounting holes extending through said perimeter wall;

a back section of said perimeter wall having an upper flange extending upwardly from said top end of said chute, a pair of said mounting holes extending through said upper flange;

a slit extending through said perimeter wall wherein said slit is configured for permitting visual inspection of said chute to determine when said chute is empty above said use position, said slit extending through said front section of said perimeter wall, said slit extending between said top end and said bottom end of said chute; and

a pair of plates being coupled to said perimeter wall, each of said plates extending across said slit, each of said plates being positioned adjacent to a respective one of said top end of said chute and said lower edge of said front section of said perimeter wall.