A toilet paper holder that can be used regardless of your dominant hand.

Abstract

We provide a toilet paper holder that can be easily used with one hand, anywhere in the cubicle. [Solution] Since conventional wall-mounted toilet paper holders cannot solve the problem, we have created a toilet paper holder integrated with a stand with casters. The height is set to about knee height when sitting on a Western-style toilet seat, making it movable to any location in the cubicle. All operations are performed from the top of the holder, so it does not strain the waist, shoulders, elbows, or wrists, and can be used comfortably by people with disabilities in their right hand, left hand, the elderly, and able-bodied people.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet paper holder, and more particularly to a toilet paper holder that allows a person with a disability in one hand or a healthy person to easily pick up, fold, and cut toilet paper with one hand.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional toilet paper holders are wall-mounted types and are installed on either the left or right wall inside the toilet cubicle, assuming the dominant hand.

[0003] In recent years, various convenient toilet paper holders for people with disabilities in one hand have been proposed, but they implicitly assume the dominant hand of the user.

[0004] In addition, among the elderly, there are those whose hand and arm functions have declined and who have difficulty in taking out toilet paper. As the number of elderly people increases, the problem of the usability of toilet paper holders has become more serious.

[0005] Based on the above, a toilet paper holder that is easy to handle has been proposed.

[0006] In Document 1, a method is disclosed in which a toilet paper roll is loaded into a toilet paper holder so that the axial direction is horizontal, and the necessary amount of paper is wound up by turning a handle, and then cut by a cutting mechanism at the place where the necessary amount has been wound up.

[0007] In Document 2, a method is disclosed in which a toilet paper roll is loaded into a toilet paper holder so that the axial direction is horizontal, the necessary amount is taken out by hand, and a receiving shelf for storing the taken-out paper while folding it is provided. The paper is cut by applying tension to the paper against a cutting blade provided between the stored paper and the toilet paper roll at the place where the necessary amount has been taken out.

[0008] Reference 3 discloses a method in which a toilet paper roll is loaded into a toilet paper holder with its axial direction horizontal, the passage of the paper is restricted by passing it through the gap between a oscillating blade provided at the opening and the upper edge of the opening, and when the required amount of paper has been dispensed, that portion of the paper is pressed against a cutting blade provided on the oscillating blade to cut the paper.

[0009] Reference 4 discloses a method that allows for quick, one-handed operation of "winding up toilet paper" and "cutting the required amount of toilet paper," which includes a mechanism that rotates the toilet paper in conjunction with the operation of a lever after loading the toilet paper roll into the toilet paper holder with the axial direction horizontal, and a mechanism that stops the rotation.

[0010] Reference 5 discloses a method for motorizing and automating all operations, from "paper dispensing" to "cutting the required amount of paper from the paper roll," after loading the toilet paper roll into the toilet paper holder with its axis oriented horizontally.

[0011] Reference 6 discloses a method in which a toilet paper roll is loaded into a toilet paper holder with a shaft protruding upward from the bottom of the holder fitted onto the core of the toilet paper roll, and after taking out the required amount by hand, the user presses the cutting end against a saw blade fixed to a part of the holder to cut it.

[0012] In reference 7, a method is disclosed in which the hollow core of a toilet paper roll is fitted onto a rod-shaped shaft that protrudes upward from the center of a disc-shaped base, the end face of the toilet paper roll is placed against the top surface of the base, a top cover formed to cover the toilet paper roll is placed over it, the required amount of paper is taken out by hand from an opening provided on a part of the side of the top cover, and cut with a cutter blade provided on the edge of the opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-70701 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-10068 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-254179 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-35267 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-29258 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-309054 [Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-89455 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0014] Most toilet paper holders currently in use are designed to be fixed to either the left or right wall, taking into account the user's dominant hand, and operating them places a significant strain on the waist, shoulders, elbows, and wrists.

[0015] Furthermore, many users have resigned themselves to the fact that the strain on their waist, shoulders, elbows, and wrists during operation is normal. However, for those who have limitations with their dominant hand or have impaired hand and arm function, the physical strain is a significant issue.

[0016] In particular, some elderly people experience a decline in arm and hand function, making it difficult to dispense toilet paper. As the elderly population increases, ease of use is becoming increasingly important.

[0017] Therefore, there is a need for a toilet paper holder that is easy to use regardless of handedness, and is also suitable for elderly people with limited arm or hand mobility.

[0018] In the cases of Document 1, Document 2, Document 3, Document 4, and Document 5, the toilet paper is loaded into the toilet paper holder such that the axial direction of the toilet paper roll is horizontal, which is laborious.

[0019] In the cases of Document 2, Document 3, Document 6, and Document 7, there is no mechanism for easily unwinding the required amount of paper, and it is necessary to take out the paper while grasping it by hand.

[0020] The one in Document 4 has a winding mechanism that operates in conjunction with the operation of a lever, but depending on the position of the wall to be installed, there will be restrictions on the dominant hand of the user, and the structure is complex, which may cause malfunctions.

[0021] From the above, there are few products that are suitable for toilet paper holders installed on the dominant hand side or that are easy for the elderly with limited arm and hand mobility to use.

[0022] However, in the case of Document 5, all operations are automated, but the structure is complex and it is expensive.

[0023] Also, in the cases of Document 2 and Document 6, after taking out the required amount of paper, when performing the next extraction, the position of the end of the paper on the roll side becomes indefinite, and it is impossible to facilitate the setup of paper extraction.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0024] The present invention provides a toilet paper holder that can be easily handled by the elderly with limited arm and hand mobility regardless of their dominant hand.

[0025] The present invention consists of four parts: a base part, a toilet paper loading part, a paper winding mechanism, and a paper cutting part. The installation height is about the level of the knees when sitting on a Western-style toilet seat, and all operations including roll loading can be performed from the top surface.

[0026] The paper loading section is provided with a paper protective wall that protects the paper roll from external forces, stabilizes the position of the paper roll, and ensures smooth rotation of the roll itself when paper is removed. The paper roll to be loaded is pre-integrated with a paper roll support having a shaft-shaped portion that is inserted into the hollow core of the paper roll and a surface portion at the bottom that receives and supports the end surface of the toilet paper roll. The hollow portion of the paper roll support is formed around the central axis of the shaft portion, and a shaft that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the base plate of the base plate is fitted into the hollow portion formed around the central axis of the shaft portion of the paper roll support. By making the length of the hollow portion of the support shorter than the protruding length of the toilet paper support shaft, the surface portion of the paper support is raised above the upper surface of the base plate, resulting in low frictional resistance and rotatable support.

[0027] Furthermore, the paper loading section is provided with an opening for dispensing the paper to be used from the loaded toilet paper roll.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention includes a paper winding mechanism that allows for easy dispensing of the required amount of paper from the loading section without restricting the dominant hand, and a blade section that cuts the dispensed paper immediately after the outlet of the loading section, making it easy for people with limited hand mobility to wind and cut the paper with one hand. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to the present invention, all operations from "loading the paper roll" to "winding the paper" and "cutting and separating the used paper" are performed from above, regardless of handedness. Furthermore, when loading the paper, by pre-inserting the shaft of the roll support into the core of the paper roll and integrating it, combined with the structure of the protective wall of the loading section, the toilet paper roll can be easily loaded with one hand, and the rotation of the paper roll after loading is stabilized. Moreover, the arrangement and structure allow the end of the paper to be pulled out from the loading section's outlet after loading to be done with one hand. In addition, the operation of placing the pulled-out end of the paper onto the handle of the winding mechanism to prevent entanglement can be done while holding the end of the paper with the fingers of one hand. Furthermore, after winding the required amount of paper by rotating the winding surface while holding the handle of the winding mechanism, the required paper can be separated from the loading section roll by operating the cutting means provided in the intermediate part between the loading section and the winding mechanism, near the outside of the loading section's outlet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] This is an overall perspective view showing the toilet paper holder of the present invention in use (with the cutting section fully open). [Figure 2] This is an overall perspective view showing the toilet paper holder of the present invention in use (with the cutting section fully closed). [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the toilet paper holder base section B. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the toilet paper loading unit I. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the toilet paper roll loading state. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the bond between the toilet paper roll and the toilet paper roll support. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the support structure for a toilet paper roll. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view illustrating the toilet paper winding mechanism. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the required amount of winding. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of the winding mechanism R. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view near the winding mechanism R. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory perspective view of the cutting section C (in the fully open state of the cutting mechanism). [Figure 13] This is an explanatory perspective view of the cutting section C (in the state when the cutting means is semi-closed). [Figure 14] Detailed perspective view of the cut section C. [Figure 15] Diagram illustrating the fully open restoration function of the cut section C.

[0031] Let's explain the main figures.

[0032] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the toilet paper holder of the present invention in use. All of the following operations in the toilet paper holder of the present invention can be easily performed with one hand from above: loading the toilet paper roll, pulling out the end of the loaded toilet paper roll from the loading section, attaching the pulled-out end of the paper to the handle of the winding mechanism R, rotating the winding mechanism R, and cutting and separating the required amount of paper from the loaded paper roll.

[0033] Figure 4 shows the toilet paper roll loading position and the area near the paper dispenser O in the toilet paper protective wall 6 of the toilet paper loading section I. The passage for the paper, which is taken from the roll and guided to the winding mechanism R via the toilet paper dispenser O, is formed to connect to the roll loading space.

[0034] Figure 5 shows how the protective wall 6 of the integrated paper roll and roll support 7 fits into the paper roll loading space A. The integrated paper roll 4 and roll support 7 are connected such that the roll support shaft 2 provided on the upper surface of the base portion B substrate 1 fits into the hollow portion 10 of the shaft portion 9 of the support 7, sandwiching the bottom of the roll protective wall 6. Because the length of the hollow portion 10 of the support is slightly shorter than the protruding length of the paper roll support shaft 9 of the base portion, the integrated paper roll 4 and roll support 7 are rotatably supported without the surface portion 8 of the roll support 7 coming into contact with the upper surface of the base portion 1. As a result, the paper roll 4 is stable within the loading space A inside the protective wall, the resistance to the rotation of the paper roll 4 is reduced, and the paper can be easily removed from the paper roll 4.

[0035] Figure 6 shows the paper roll 4 and roll support 7 integrated together just before being loaded into the toilet paper holder. By integrating them in advance, loading the toilet paper into the holder can be easily done with one hand.

[0036] Figure 8 illustrates the paper winding process. With one hand, the end of the paper pulled out from the outermost edge of the paper roll 4 in the loading unit I is hooked onto the nearest handle H, and the handle H is then used to rotate the winding unit bottom plate 11, thereby winding the required amount of paper P onto the handle H.

[0037] Figure 11 shows the structure of the winding section R. The handle section H has a double structure consisting of an outer pipe 12 and a core 13, which are fixed so as to penetrate the winding section bottom plate 11 and have their upper parts protruding from the upper surface of the winding section bottom plate 11. The core 13 is rotatably connected so as to fit inside the outer pipe 12. The diameter near the lower end of the core 13, which protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the bottom plate 11 beyond the lower surface of the outer pipe 12, is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the outer pipe 12. Therefore, the core 13 cannot come out upward from the outer pipe 12. The lower end of the core 13 is sandwiched between the backing plate 15 on the lower surface of the winding section bottom plate 11, and the backing plate 15 is fixed to the lower surface of the winding section bottom plate 11. Therefore, the core 13 cannot come out downward from the outer pipe 12. Furthermore, a bearing Z is incorporated into the shaft hole 14 of the winding section bottom plate 11 so as to be coaxial with the shaft hole, and by fitting the stepped winding mechanism shaft 3 into the shaft hole of the bearing Z, the bottom plate 11, to which the backing plate 15 is fixed to the bottom surface, is lifted above the top surface of the substrate 1, allowing the winding mechanism R to rotate with low friction.

[0038] Figures 12 and 13 show the position and structure of the cutting section C when the cutting means is scissor-shaped. The cutting means is positioned immediately after the toilet paper dispenser and in front of the winding section. When the paper P wound up by the winding mechanism R passes the cutting means, the paper P is cut and separated by operating the cutting means. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] An embodiment of the present invention in which the cutting means is scissor-shaped will be explained in accordance with the flow of use, with reference to the drawings.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the present invention has a structure in which a toilet paper loading section I, a winding mechanism R, and a paper cutting section C are fixed on a base material B. The height of the paper roll 4 of the toilet paper holder is about the same as knee height when sitting on a Western-style toilet seat, and all operations can be performed from above the holder without putting strain on the waist, elbows, or wrists.

[0041] The following explains the process from "loading the toilet paper roll into the toilet paper holder" to "cutting off the required amount from the loaded toilet paper roll."

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, the toilet paper roll 4 is integrated with the toilet paper roll support 7, and as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the hollow shaft portion 10 of the toilet paper roll support 7 is rotatably fitted onto the support shaft 2 protruding from the bottom of the roll storage position of the protective wall 6, and set in the toilet paper loading space A of the loading section I. As shown in Figures 1, 2, 8, 12, and 13, the wall height of the protective wall 6 is slightly higher than the height of the paper roll 4, and the diameter of the internal loading space A of the protective wall is slightly larger than the unused paper roll 4, so that the sides of the unused paper roll 4 do not touch the protective wall 6 when rotating. In addition, the thickness of the fitting shaft 9 of the toilet paper roll support 7 is slightly thinner than the thickness of the hole in the core 5 of the toilet paper roll 4, so that it can be easily inserted into the hole in the core 5 of the toilet paper roll 4, and its length is slightly longer than the height of the toilet paper roll 4. Furthermore, the length of the hollow portion 10 of the toilet paper roll support 7 is slightly shorter than the length of the paper roll support shaft 2 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the substrate 1.

[0043] Next, as shown in Figure 8, the outermost edge of the paper from the set paper roll 4 can be grasped and the end can be pulled out to the outside of the protective wall 6 through the toilet paper dispenser O provided in a part of the protective wall 6.

[0044] As shown in Figure 8, the toilet paper pulled out from the toilet paper dispenser O of the protective wall 6 passes over the lower blade 17 of the fully open (90-degree open) cutting section C located immediately after the toilet paper dispenser O, and is guided towards the winding mechanism R. The paper is then placed on the upright handle H of the winding mechanism R, and while holding the paper between the handle and fingers, the winding machine bottom plate 11 is rotated by the handle, winding the required amount of paper onto the two sets of handle H while wrapping it around the handle (Figure 9 shows the state of the winding mechanism with the required amount of paper wound on).

[0045] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the paper winding mechanism R consists of a winding section bottom plate 11, a winding bottom plate support shaft hole 14, a handle H (winding outer pipe 12, winding inner core 13), and a winding back plate 15.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the bottom plate 11 of the winding section is rotatably supported in the winding mechanism rotation shaft hole 14 by a winding mechanism support shaft 3 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the toilet paper holder base material 1. At this time, a bearing Z is incorporated into the shaft hole 14 of the bottom plate 11 so as to be coaxial with the shaft hole 14, and by fitting the stepped winding mechanism shaft 3 into the shaft hole of the bearing Z, the bottom plate 11, to which the backing plate 15 is fixed to the bottom surface, is lifted above the upper surface of the base material 1, allowing the winding mechanism R to rotate with low friction.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the handle H has a double structure consisting of a winding outer pipe 12 and a winding inner core 13, with two sets arranged on the winding mechanism bottom plate 11. The winding outer pipe 12 is fixed in a state where it penetrates the bottom plate 11, and the winding inner core 13 is rotatably fitted to the outer pipe 12. The outer diameter of the part of the inner core 13 that protrudes from the lower surface of the winding bottom plate 11 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the outer pipe 12, so it cannot come out of the outer pipe 12 in an upward direction.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the lower end of the winding core 13, where the diameter increases, is sandwiched between the winding section bottom plate 11 and the winding back plate 15 fixed to the bottom of the winding section bottom plate 11. As a result, the winding core 13 remains rotatable relative to the winding outer pipe and does not fall downward.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, since the inner core 13 is rotatably fitted onto the outer pipe 12, the rotation of the winding section bottom plate 11 is not transmitted to the fingertips, allowing for smooth winding of the paper, and as shown in Figure 9, the paper is folded simultaneously with the winding.

[0050] Once the required amount has been wound onto the handle of the winding mechanism, the paper to be used can be cut by a scissor-shaped cutting means C fixed to the upper surface of the substrate 1, located in front of the winding mechanism and immediately after the loading opening O, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The cut paper is folded as it is wound onto the two sets of handles H of the winding mechanism R.

[0051] As shown in Figures 12, 13, and 14, the cutting mechanism consists of scissor-shaped blades 16, 17, and 18, with blades 16 and 17 fixed to members 19 and 20, which also serve as safety covers, respectively.

[0052] As shown in Figure 14, the blade consists of an upper blade 16 and a lower blade 17, joined together such that a pin 18 passes through both blades. The pin 18 acts as a pivot point, and the edges of both blades 16 and 17 intersect with each other like scissors, allowing the blade to cut the paper P placed on the lower blade 17.

[0053] In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the member 20 is fixed on the substrate 1 such that the cutting edge of the lower blade faces upward, and the rotation of the upper blade 16 around the pin 18 is not obstructed. As shown in Figure 15, one end of the elastic body 21 for restoring the upper blade position is connected to an upper blade fixing hole 22 for restoring the upper blade position, which is provided at the end of the upper blade 16 opposite to the cutting edge, and the other end of the elastic body 21 for restoring the upper blade position is connected to an elastic body fixing hook 23 for restoring the upper blade position, which is fixed to the vertical surface of the notch S of the substrate 1, such that the upper blade 16 opens in the direction of the upper blade 16.

[0054] Finally, when the elastic body 21 maintains a state in which the opening angle between the upper blade 16 and the lower blade 17 is close to 90 degrees relative to the lower blade 17, and the required amount of paper has been wound up by the winding mechanism R, the upper surface of the cover 19 to which the upper blade 16 is fixed is pressed from above, and the paper P that crosses over the blade portion of the lower blade 17 is cut by the interaction of the scissor-shaped upper blade 16, lower blade 17 and pin 18. At this time, the paper tension is appropriately maintained by the resistance of the paper passage in the paper outlet O, and the paper does not loosen during cutting, so the cutting of the paper proceeds without problems.

[0055] After cutting the paper, releasing the hand pressing on the cover member 19 causes the upper blade 16 to open due to the action of the elastic body 21, returning to a position where the opening angle between the upper blade 16 and the lower blade 17 is close to 90 degrees. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] B Toilet paper holder base I. Toilet paper roll loading section R Winding mechanism C Cut section 1 circuit board 2. Toilet paper roll support shaft 3 Winding mechanism support shaft 4 Toilet paper roll 5. Toilet paper roll core S notch A Toilet paper loading space 6. Toilet paper protective barrier O Toilet paper dispenser 7 Toilet paper roll support 8. Toilet paper roll support base plate 9. Toilet paper roll fitting shaft 10. Hollow part inside the toilet paper roll support 11. Winding section bottom plate P Removal Paper H Winding handle 12. Outer pipe of the winding handle 13. Inner core of the winding handle 14 Winding mechanism rotating shaft hole Z bearing 15. Winding mechanism back plate 16 Paper cutting blade upper blade 17 Paper cutting blade lower blade 18 Paper cutting blade connecting pin 19. Cutting handle and paper cutting blade upper blade fixing / safety cover 20 Paper cutting blade lower blade fixing / safety cover 21 Elastic body for restoring the upper blade position 22 Upper blade hole for fixing elastic body for upper blade position restoration 23. Hook for fixing the elastic body for restoring the upper blade position.

Claims

1. A toilet paper holder integrated with a wheeled base, or a toilet paper holder that can be connected to a wheeled base.

2. The toilet paper holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the paper loading section has a space into which a roll of toilet paper can be loaded from above, and is equipped with a roll hat on which the loaded toilet paper is placed with the hollow core passing through from top to bottom, and is provided with an opening for pulling out the required amount from the loaded toilet paper roll, the extended paper winding section consists of a base plate and two handles, the base plate has a rotation axis perpendicular to the center of its surface and the handles are fixed to the base plate, the extended paper outlet cutting blade section is provided adjacent to the extended loading section and incorporates a cutting means that can cut the toilet paper pulled out from the outlet of the paper loading section at the outlet, and all operations such as wrapping the end of the toilet paper pulled out from the outlet of the extended paper loading section around the handle of the paper winding section, winding the required amount of paper by turning the handle, and cutting it with the cutting means of the paper outlet cutting section can be performed from the top of the holder.

3. Maenobu Paper Hat, The paper loading device according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a vertical shaft that is inserted into the hollow core of a toilet paper roll, and a roll hat having a surface member at the bottom of the shaft that receives and supports the end surface of the toilet paper, and the roll hat itself is fixed to the machine frame so as to be rotatable with the shaft as its central axis.

4. The front paper winding section is, The paper winding device according to claim 2, characterized in that it has two parallel handles standing upright on a plate-shaped base surface, each handle having a double structure of an outer pipe fixed so as to penetrate the base and a core that fits into the inner diameter of the outer pipe, the core being rotatably connected to the outer pipe, and the diameter of the core protruding from the fixed end of the outer pipe fixed to the base being slightly larger than the inner diameter of the outer pipe.

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