US 2006/0151661 A1Published application

Paper towel holder

AssigneeJ. E. Vance & Associates, LLC

InventorJoseph Vance

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Abstract

Various embodiments of the invention provide, therefore, receptacles for rolled products (including without limitation paper towels, toilet paper, etc.), as well as methods of using such receptacles. In accordance with some embodiments, a receptacle might be configured to provide protection from ambient environmental conditions (in particular, moisture). In other embodiments, the receptacle can be configured to allow relatively convenient access to paper product. In accordance with particular embodiments, the receptacle may comprise an attachment mechanism, which may be used to attach the receptacle to any desirable structure or surface. Hence, embodiments of the invention provide novel receptacles and/or methods for their use.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A receptacle for holding for a rolled product, the holder comprising:

a support member configured to be at least partially disposed within a hollow core of a roll of the product, such that the support member provides support for the roll of the product;
and
an enclosure member coupled with the support member, the enclosure portion comprising a top face and at least one wall disposed orthogonally to the enclosure portion, the top face and the at least one wall defining an interior portion and an opening adjoining the interior portion, such that the rolled product may be disposed within the interior portion;
a base member coupled with the support member, wherein, the base portion is adapted to be disposed in a first position and a second position relative to the enclosure;
and
a locking mechanism configured to allow the base member to be locked in the second position relative to the enclosure member;
wherein:
when the base member is disposed in the first position relative to the enclosure member, the rolled product is disposed within the interior portion of the enclosure member;
when the base member is disposed in the second position relative to the enclosure, the rolled product is disposed at least partially outside the interior portion of the enclosure member, such that a portion of the product may be removed from the roll.

6 more elements

A method of using a rolled product, the method comprising:

providing a receptacle for holding a rolled product, the receptacle comprising:
a support member configured to be at least partially disposed within a hollow core of a roll of the product, such that the support member provides support for the roll of the product;
and
an enclosure member coupled with the support member, the enclosure portion comprising a top face and at least one wall disposed orthogonally to the enclosure portion, the top face and the at least one wall defining an interior portion and an opening adjoining the interior portion, such that the rolled product may be disposed within the interior portion;
a base member coupled with the support member, wherein, the base portion is adapted to be disposed in a first position and a second position relative to the enclosure;
and
a locking mechanism configured to allow the base member to be locked in the second position relative to the enclosure member;
wherein:
when the base member is disposed in the first position relative to the enclosure member, the rolled product is disposed within the interior portion of the enclosure member;
when the base member is disposed in the second position relative to the enclosure, the rolled product is disposed at least partially outside the interior portion of the enclosure member, such that a portion of the product may be removed from the roll;
disposing the base member in the second position relative to the enclosure member;
and
removing at least a portion of the rolled product from the roll of the product.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.