CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/287,322, filed on December 8, 2021. The entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates in general to the field of lavatory accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toilet paper dispenser. Specifically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a toilet paper dispenser having two rolls of product that are able to be moved into a single dispensing location.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0003] Numerous styles of toilet paper dispenser are known in the prior art. One such style is a dual roll toilet paper dispenser. Often dual roll toilet paper dispensers known in the art result in the second roll resting upon the spindle of the first roll, once the first roll has been emptied. As a result, the spindle of the first roll creates friction with the second roll, which can lead to the second roll not spinning freely and the toilet paper tearing. In addition, the second roll can drop down onto the first roll before the first roll is emptied and create friction on the first roll, which can lead to the first roll not spinning freely and the toilet paper tearing.

[0004] Thus, it would be desirable to provide a toilet paper dispenser that is able to replace a first roll of product with a second roll of product in the same dispensing location once the first roll is empty, while also removing the emptied first roll from the dispensing location to a remote location. As a result, the second roll is free to rotate and dispense without interference from the emptied first roll. Further yet, the second roll is prevented from moving too early to the dispensing location and interfering with the first roll. Additionally, the design of the present invention is configured to reduce tearing in the first and second rolls in either unwind direction (e.g., clockwise or counter-counterclockwise). [0005] Further, it is desirable to provide an indication system on the toilet paper dispenser to let a user know that the second roll is the roll located in the dispensing location, the first roll is empty, and a refill is needed.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is directed to a toilet paper dispenser having two rolls of product that are able to be moved into a single dispensing location. In addition, the toilet paper dispenser may include an indication system to identify when the second roll is located in the dispensing location.

[0007] In accordance to an embodiment of the invention, a toilet paper dispenser includes a housing, an inner unit, and a revolver assembly. The housing includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, a rear wall, and a door opposite the rear wall. The inner unit includes a first wall adjacent the first sidewall of the housing, a second wall adjacent the second sidewall of the housing, a first track formed in the first wall, and a second track formed in the second wall. Each track is configured to receive an end of a spindle of an upper roll and a spindle of a lower roll. The revolver assembly may be disposed within the housing and configured to hold the upper roll in a storage location and the lower roll in a dispensing location. Further, the revolver assembly includes a first plate disposed between the first wall of the inner unit and the first sidewall of the housing, a second plate disposed between the second wall of the inner unit and the second sidewall of the housing, and a revolver unifier coupled to and extending between the first and second plates and configured to have the first and second plates being mirrored in orientation. The revolver assembly is rotatable about a pivot axis and is able to transition the lower roll from the dispensing location to a diposed location of the toilet paper dispenser while also transitioning the upper roll from the storage location to the dispensing location when the lower roll is in an empty state. In addition, an opening formed within the door of the housing may expose an interior of the housing and provide access to the dispensing location.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the toilet paper dispenser may also include an indication opening formed in the door. Further, the inner unit may include an indication element disposed adjacent the first wall or the second wall of the inner unit. The indication element is configured to transition from a first position to a second position when the revolver assembly is pivoted to place the upper roll in the dispensing location. In addition, the indication element includes an indicator surface visible through the indication opening when the indication element is in the second position.

[0009] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the inner unit may also include a stop rod extending between the first and second walls of the inner unit at a location below the lower roll to prevent movement of the lower roll prior to the lower roll being in a predetermined empty state. It is also contemplated that the revolver unifier of the revolver assembly may include a counterweight.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second plates of the revolver assembly each include a first notch formed therein. The first notches are configured to receive the spindle of the lower roll and guide the lower roll during transition from the dispensing location to a disposed location of the toilet paper dispenser. The first and second plates of the revolver assembly may also include a second notch formed therein. The second notches are configured to receive the spindle of the upper roll and guide the upper roll during transition from the storage location to the dispensing location of the toilet paper dispenser.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the first and second tracks each include an upper track extending from a first end to a second end. The first and second tracks each also include a lower track extending from a first end to a second end. The upper and lower tracks are joined at a joint located at the second end of the upper track and the first end of the lower track. The storage location may be located in the upper tracks, while the disposed location and the dispensing location may be located in the lower tracks. Additionally, the first and second tracks may each include an exit opening disposed adjacent the joint.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the first plate of the revolver assembly is disposed between the first wall of the inner unit and the first sidewall of the housing. Similarly, the second plate of the revolver assembly is disposed between the second wall of the inner unit and the second sidewall of the housing. The first and second walls of the inner unit may include an opening formed therein and configured to receive the revolver unifier. The opening is sized to allow movement of the revolver unifier as the revolver assembly rotates about the pivot axis.

[0013] These and other aspects and objects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention, and of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views, and in which: [0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a toilet paper dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is front elevation view of the toilet paper dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the toilet paper dispenser of FIG. 1 with its door open;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the toilet paper dispenser of FIG. 3;

[0019] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an inner unit of the toilet paper dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of the inner unit of FIG. 5 with a revolver assembly in a first position;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a side view of the inner unit of FIG. 5 with the revolver assembly in a second position;

[0022] FIG. 8 is a side view of the inner unit of FIG. 5 with the revolver assembly in a third position;

[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the revolver assembly;

[0024] FIG. 10 is a side view of the inner unit of FIG. 5 without the revolver assembly; and [0025] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a spindle of the toilet paper dispenser.

[0026] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected, attached, or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description.

[0028] Throughout this description, various terms denoting direction, such as left and right, front and rear, up and down, top and bottom, and the like may be used. The directions are not intended to be limiting but are used to describe relationships of elements with respect to each other in the accompanying drawings. Unless mutually exclusive, it is contemplated that the elements may be reversed, for example, by turning a component around or upside down without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Turning initially to FIGS. 1-4, a toilet paper dispenser 10 is shown according to one embodiment of the invention. The toilet paper dispenser includes a housing 12 having first and second sidewalls 14, 16 oriented opposite each other, a top wall 18 extending between top edges of the first and second sidewalls 14, 16, a bottom wall 20 extending between bottom edges of the first and second sidewalls 14, 16, and a rear wall 22 extending between the side edges of the first and second sidewalls 14, 16 at the rear of the housing 12. Opposite the rear wall 22 and at the front of the housing 12, the housing 12 includes a door 24. The door 24 is pivotably coupled to at least one of the first and second sidewalls 14, 16 along a pivot point 26.

[0030] The door 24 includes an indication opening 28 formed in a front surface 30 of the door 24. As will be described in further detail below, the indication opening 28 is configured to identify to a user that the toilet paper dispenser 10 needs to be refilled. Additionally, the door 24 includes an opening 32 formed in the front surface 30 thereof to allow access to an inner volume 34 of the housing 12.

[0031] First and second spindles 36, 38 are disposed within the inner volume 34 of the housing 12 and are configured to each hold a roll of material, such as toilet paper. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the first spindle 36 is shown oriented in a dispensing location 40. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the second spindle 38 is shown in a storage location 42. Additional locations for the first and second spindles 36, 38 will be described below in other depictions of the invention. [0032] Now referring to FIGS. 5-9, an inner unit 44 of the toilet paper dispenser 10 is shown. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the inner unit 44 is disposed within the housing 12. The inner unit 44 includes a first wall 46, a second wall 48 oriented opposite the first wall 46, and a rear wall 50 extending between the first and second walls 46, 48. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the inner unit 44 may be formed to include spacer elements 52 that extend between the first and second walls 46, 48 and the first and second sidewalls 14, 16 of the housing 12, respectively. The spacer elements 52 act to center the inner unit 44 within the housing 12 and properly space the first and second walls 46, 48 from the first and second sidewalls 14, 16 to accommodate a revolver assembly 54 and its components, which are described in further detail below.

[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the inner unit 44 without the revolver assembly 54 in order to further illustrate the elements found within the first and second walls 46, 48 of the inner unit 44. In particular, FIG. 9 depicts a representative embodiment of the first sidewall 46 of the inner unit 44. While the below description is written with respect to the first sidewall 46, the below is also applicable to the second sidewall 48. Each sidewall 46, 48 includes a track 56 formed in the sidewall 46 to allow movement of the first and second spindles 36, 38 and associated rolls along the track 56.

[0034] The track 56 includes an upper track 58 that extends from a first end 60 to a second end 62. The track 56 also includes a lower track 64 that extends from a first end 66 to a second end 68. The upper and lower tracks 58, 64 join at the second end 62 of the upper track 58 and the first end 66 of the lower track 64 to create a continuous track 56. Additionally, an exit opening 70 extends from the track 58 adjacent the joint of the upper and lower track 58, 64 to allow spindles 36, 38 to be removed from the inner unit 44 and toilet paper dispenser 10 for refill of the associated rolls. As will be described below, the second spindle 38 moves along the upper track 58 to transition from a storage location 96 adjacent the first end 60 of the upper track 58 to a dispensing location 94 adjacent the joint of the upper and lower tracks 58, 64, while the first spindle 36 moves along the lower track 64 to transition from the dispensing location 94 to a rear disposed location 114 adjacent the second end 68 of the lower track 64 (see below regarding FIGS. 6-8). While the dispensing location 94 may be variably located adjacent the joint of the upper and lower tracks 58, 64, it is contemplated that the dispensing location 94 is aligned with the opening 32 in the door 24. [0035] The sidewalls 46, 48 of the inner unit 44 further include an opening 72 configured to receive a revolver unifier 74 of the revolver assembly 54, while also being sized to allow movement of the revolver unifier 74 as the revolver assembly 54 rotates about a pivot point 76. It is also contemplated that the edges of the opening 72 provide stop locations that limit the rotational movement of the revolver unifier 74 and, as a result, also limit the rotational movement of the revolver assembly 54. The revolver assembly 54 includes revolver plates 78, 80 connected to each other via the revolver unifier 74 extending between the plates 78, 80. The revolver unifier 74 acts to marry the plates 78, 80 together so that the plates 78, 80 of the revolver assembly 54 rotate together. In turn, the revolver unifier 74 assists in preventing the revolver assembly 54 from becoming off-center by synchronizing the rotation and movement of the revolver plates 78, 80. In certain embodiments of the invention, it is contemplated that the revolver unifier 74 may include a counterweight to assist in managing and the rotation of the inner unit 44.

[0036] Each revolver plate 78, 80 is disposed on the outer surface of the first and second walls 46, 48 of the inner unit 44, respectively. As a result, each revolver plate 78, 80 is disposed in the space between the inner unit 44 and the housing 12. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the space between the inner unit 44 and the housing 12 is maintained by the previously discussed spacer elements 52.

[0037] Further, each revolver plate 78, 80 is contoured with a first notch 82 configured to receive the first spindle 36 and a second notch 84 configured to receive the second spindle 38. As the revolver assembly 54 rotates, the notches 82, 84 of the revolver plates 78, 80 assist in guiding the spindles 36, 38 along the track 56 of the inner unit 44. As shown in FIG. 9, when in a neutral position, the first notch 82 of each plate 78, 80 is located at a front edge of each plate 78, 80, while the second notch 84 of each plate 78, 80 is located at a top edge of each plate 78, 80.

[0038] FIGS. 5-8 further illustrate an indication element 86 rotatably coupled to the first wall 46 of the inner unit 44 about a pivot point 88. The indication element 86 includes an indication surface 90 that is viewable depending on the orientation of the indication element 86, this and other features of the indication element 86 will be described in further detail below. While the representative embodiment of the invention illustrates the indication element 86 as being coupled to the first wall 46 of the inner unit 44, it is contemplated that the indication element 86 may be coupled to any surface of the inner unit 44, such as, but not limited to, the second wall 48 of the inner unit 44.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, the revolver assembly 54 is shown in a number of orientations as the lower and upper rolls on the spindles 36, 38, respectively, transition along the track 56. FIG. 6 depicts the revolver assembly 54 in a first orientation 92. In the first orientation 92, the first spindle 36 holding the lower roll is located in a dispensing position 94, while the second spindle 38 holding the upper roll is located in a storage location 96. While the diameter of the lower roll is greater than a predetermined empty size, a stop bar 98 extending between the walls 46, 48 of the inner unit 44 adjacent the lower edge of the walls 46, 48 of the inner unit prevents the lower roll from moving out of the dispensing position 94. Preferably, the predetermined empty size of the lower roll ranges from 1.75 inches to 2.00 inches. More preferably, the predetermined empty size of the lower roll is 1.875 inches.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the indication element 86 is orientated in its first orientation 100. In the first orientation 100, the indication surface 90 of the indication element 86 is angled away from planar with the indication opening 28 of the door. As a result, the indication surface 90 is not viewable through the indication openning 28 when oriented in its first orientation 100. In addition, the indication element 86 may include a notch 110 formed in a surface therein. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the notch 110 is formed in a surface of the indication element 86 adjacent the storage position 96 when the indication element 86 is in the first orientation 100. Further yet, the notch 110 is configured to interact with the spindle 38 to maintain the spindle 38 in the storage position 96 until the indication element 86 is moved.

[0041] Next, FIG. 7 illustrates the revolver assembly 54 and the indication element 86 transition from a first orientation 92, 100, respectively, to a second orientation 102, 104, respectively. In its second orientation 102, the revolver assembly 54 begins rotating counterclockwise as the diameter of the lower roll is reduced. As the revolver assembly 54 begins to rotate about the pivot point 76, the upper rear edge 106 of the revolver plate 78 begins lifting the rear edge 108 of the indication element 86.

[0042] In turn, the indication element 86 is rotated about its pivot point 88 into its second orientation 104. In its second orientation 104, the notch 110 of the indication element 86 is raised away from the spindle 38 to allow the spindle 38 to move along the track 56. Further, the indication surface 90 of the indication element 86 remains angled away from planar with the indication opening 28 of the door 24.

[0043] Finally, FIG. 8 illustrates the revolver assembly 54 in a third orientation 112. Once the diameter of the lower roll on the first spindle 36 is less than the predetermined empty size, the revolver assembly 54 fully rotates to the third orientation 112, as the notch 82 of the plates 78, 80 guides the first spindle 36 and associated lower roll from the dispensing location to a rear disposed location 114 adjacent the second end 68 of the lower track 64. Meanwhile, the notch 84 o the plates 78, 80 receives the second spindle 38 and associated upper roll as it transitions along the upper track 58 and guides the second spindle 38 and associated upper roll along the track to the dispensing location 94. As stated above, the revolver assembly 54 may include a counterweight or be otherwise weighted to cause the revolver assembly 54 to rotate as soon as the diameter of the lower roll is below the predetermined empty size.

[0044] FIG. 8 also illustrates the indication element 86 in a third orientation 116. Once the revolver assembly 54 begins rotating into its third orientation 112, the indication element 86 is able to rotate counterclockwise about its pivot point 88 to bring the indication surface 90 of the indication element 86 into alignment and planar with the indication opening 28 of the door 24. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the rear edge 108 of the indication element 86 is configured to rest upon a rear edge 118 of the revolver plate 78 when both the revolver assembly 54 and the indication element 86 are in their respective third orientations 112, 116. When aligned with the indication opening 28, the indication surface 90 provides a notification to a user that the upper roll and second spindle 38 are in the dispensing position 94 and the toilet paper dispenser 10 needs to be refilled. In varying embodiments of the invention, the indication surface 90 of the indication element 86 may be any number of colors, textures, etc. to indicate the need to refill.

[0045] It is also contemplated that varying embodiments of the invention may include an indication element similar to indication element 86 rotatably coupled to the second wall 48 of the inner unit 44 about a pivot point. Such an indication element would operate in a similar manner to indication element 86 described above and interact with the spindle 38 and the revolver plate 80 in a similar manner. Further yet, an indication opening similar to indication opening 28 may be formed in the housing to align with an indication surface of this indication element in the same manner as indication surface 90 of the indication element 86. In yet other embodiments of the invention, a retention element may be pivotally coupled to the second wall 48 of the inner unit 44 and interact with the spindle 38 and the revolver plate 80 in much the same manner as the indication element 86. However, such a retention element would potentially not include the indication surface 90.

[0046] Now referring to FIG. 11, a spindle, for example, spindle 38, is shown according to an embodiment of the invention. The spindle 38 includes a main body portion 130, a first extension 132, and a second extension 134 all oriented along the same axis. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body portion 130 of the spindle 38 may be barrel shaped with a thicker diameter in the middle than at the edges. Alternatively, the main body portion 130 of the spindle may be cylindrical with equal diameter in the middle and at the edges.

[0047] The first and second extensions 132, 134 extend outward from the main body 130. In turn, the extensions 132, 134 extend through the tracks 56 described above and allow the spindle 38 to traverse the tracks 56 of the inner unit 44 and move between positions. As shown, the extensions 132, 134 have a smaller diameter than the main body 130 and are sized to be smaller than the width of the tracks 56.

[0048] At the distal ends 136, 138 of the extensions 132, 134, respectively, the spindle 38 ends with cap portions 140, 142, respectively. As shown, the cap portions 140, 142 have larger diameters than their respective extensions 132, 134, while also being larger than the width of the tracks 56 of the inner unit 44. In turn, the spindle 38 is able to travel along the tracks 56 without being displaced side to side. Further yet, the T-shape of the spindle 38 results in the spindle 38 only being able to be removed and inserted into the tracks 56 via the exit opening 70 when the door 24 is open. While the above description refers to spindle 38, it is also contemplated that it may apply to spindle 36 of the present invention.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the toilet paper dispenser 10 is refilled by removing the second spindle 38 from the dispensing location 94 via the exit opening 70 to refill the upper roll, returning the second spindle 38 with upper roll to the dispensing location 94 via the exit opening 70, rotating the revolver assembly 54 to move the second spindle 38 from the dispensing location 94 to the storage location 96 and move the first spindle 36 from the rear disposed location 114 to the dispensing location 94, removing the first spindle 36 from the dispensing location 94 via the exit opening 70 to refill the lower roll, and returning the first spindle 36 with lower roll to the dispensing location 94 via the exit opening 70. [0050] Referring again to FIGS. 3-5, in the representative embodiment of the invention, the inner unit 44 may also include a locking plate 120 disposed at the top of the inner unit 44 and adjacent the top wall 18 of the housing 12. Further, the door 24 of the housing 12 includes a lock 122 disposed on an inner surface 124 of the door 24. The lock 122 includes a latch 126 configured to interact with an opening 128 formed in the locking plate 120 to lock and unlock the toilet paper dispenser 10. In varying embodiments of the invention, the latch 126 of the lock 122 may be activated by a variety of means, for example, via a key or magnet.

[0051] Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that the various additions, modifications, and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept.

[0052] Moreover, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided in virtually any shape, and assembled in virtually any configuration. Furthermore, all the disclosed features of each disclosed embodiment can be combined with, or substituted for, the disclosed features of every other disclosed embodiment except where such features are mutually exclusive.

[0053] It is intended that the appended claims cover all such additions, modifications and rearrangements. Expedient embodiments of the present invention are differentiated by the appended claims.