Toilet Paper Roll Holder

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a toilet paper holder for holding toilet paper rolls including a base, a first shaft, and a second shaft. The base is formed from a homogenous sheet and includes a backboard and a shelf. The shelf has a front surface and a back surface. The back surface includes at least one flat adhesive area to receive an adhesive element. The shelf includes a bottom surface and a top surface. The top surface includes a flat shaft area. The first shaft is anchored to the base, fixed to the base, and formed from one or more of wood, bamboo, metal, and polymer materials. The first shaft has a diameter of 4.5 centimeters or less. The first shaft defines a first end and a second end. The first end has a flat surface to interface with the flat shaft area. The second end is opposite the first end.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 638,553 filed on Apr. 25, 2024, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to toilet paper holders; and more specifically relate to a toilet paper that can be conveniently stored on the inside of a cabinet door.BACKGROUND

[0003] Individuals often store toilet paper prior to use, sometimes using a device to store the toilet paper. Individuals often store toilet paper within a cabinet, as can commonly be found in bathrooms. Toilet paper holders may come in a variety of styles.SUMMARY

[0004] This disclosure includes a toilet paper holder for holding toilet paper rolls.

[0005] In some embodiments, the toilet paper holder includes a base, a first shaft, and a second shaft.

[0006] In some embodiments, the base is formed from a homogenous sheet.

[0007] In some embodiments, the base includes a backboard and a shelf.

[0008] In some embodiments, the backboard has a front surface and a back surface, the back surface including at least one flat adhesive area configured to receive an adhesive element.

[0009] In some embodiments, the shelf has a bottom surface and a top surface.

[0010] In some embodiments, the top surface includes a flat shaft area.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first shaft is anchored to the base and fixed relative to the base.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first shaft is formed from one or more of wood, bamboo, metal and polymer materials.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first shaft has a diameter of 4.5 cm or less.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first shaft defines a first end and a second end.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first end has a flat surface to interface with the flat shaft area.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second end is opposite the first end.

[0017] In some embodiments, the second shaft is anchored to the base and fixed relative to the base.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second shaft is formed from one or more of wood, bamboo, metal, and polymer materials.

[0019] In some embodiments, the second shaft has a diameter of 4.5 cm or less.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a toilet paper holder in an example environment, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a toilet paper holder from a front perspective.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a toilet paper holder including screws.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a toilet paper holder from a rear perspective.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a first shaft configured to accept a threaded fastener.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a top view of a toilet paper holder with two rolls of toilet paper placed onto the toilet paper holder.

[0026] FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of a toilet paper holder.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a toilet paper including dowels.

[0028] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a first shaft configured to accept a threaded fastener.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a toilet paper holder 100 in an example environment. The toilet paper holder 100 can be adhered to a door, wall, or other surface to provide off-the-ground storage for toilet paper. FIG. 1 shows a toilet paper holder 100 adhered to the inside of a cabinet door 156. The toilet paper holder 100 may be placed on the inside of a cabinet door (see e.g., cabinet door 156) in order to facilitate a pleasing room aesthetic, to store toilet paper without cluttering counter tops, and / or to store toilet paper in an inconspicuous and / or selectively accessible location. In one embodiment, the toilet paper holder 100 includes a base 102, a first shaft 104, and a second shaft 206. The base 102 may be made from a variety of materials including but not limited to metal, plastic, wood, or various material combinations. In one embodiment, the base 102 is formed from a homogenous sheet that is cut, molded, bent or otherwise formed to the base 102 shape. In one embodiment, the base 102 is made of a stainless steel sheet. In another embodiment, the base 102 is made of aluminum. The base 102 includes a backboard 108 and a shelf 110.

[0030] The first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 can hold a toilet paper roll or multiple toilet paper rolls. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 are both 4 inches long, configured to hold one toilet paper roll each. In one embodiment, a user can place a toilet paper roll onto the toilet paper holder 100 by placing the hollow center of the toilet paper roll around the first shaft 104 or the second shaft 206 so that the toilet paper roll rests against the base 102 and is around either the first shaft 104 or the second shaft 206. A user can place a toilet paper roll around the first shaft 104 and another toilet paper roll around the second shaft 206. The first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 are anchored to the base 102 at an angle of at least 70 degrees from the base so that the roll of toilet paper does not slide off the first shaft 104 or the second shaft 206. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 are anchored to the base 102 at a 90 degree angle.

[0031] In some cases, the toilet paper holder 100 may be mounted on a cabinet door 156 in a position that causes a corner portion of the base 102 to contact other portions of the cabinet (e.g., an adjacent door) when the cabinet door is opened or shut. In some embodiments, the base 102 is shaped, molded, or bent to avoid this type of contact. For example, the base 102 may include a chamfer 254 along a corner region which may omit material that would otherwise contact the cabinet when the door is opened or shut. In another embodiment, a corner region of the base 102 may be radiused. The corner region of the base 102 may be chamfered, radiused, or otherwise altered in order to reduce the sharpness of the corner region or reduce the likelihood that a user pokes, scrapes, or scratches themselves on the corner region.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a toilet paper holder 100. In one embodiment, the toilet paper holder 100 includes a base 102, a first shaft 104, and a second shaft 206. The base 102 includes a backboard 108 and a shelf 110. In one embodiment, the backboard 108 has a front surface 212 and a back surface 414. In one embodiment, the shelf 110 has a bottom surface 720 and a top surface 222. The top surface 222 may include a flat shaft area 224. In one embodiment, the edges may be chamfered (e.g., chamfered edge 254). A chamfered edge 254 may enable the toilet paper holder 100 and the shelf 110 to have a smaller footprint, which may allow the toilet paper holder 100 to avoid interfering with external material while the cabinet door is opening and closing, such as other cabinet hardware or other objects inside of the cabinet. In one embodiment, the backboard 108 is at a 90 degree angle from the shelf 110.

[0033] In one embodiment, the first shaft 104 is anchored to the base 102. The first shaft 104 may be statically coupled and not rotate relative to the base 102. In another embodiment, the first shaft 104 may be configured to rotate with respect to the base 102. The first shaft 104 may be fixed relative to the base 102. In one embodiment, the first shaft 104 is formed from one or more of wood, bamboo, metal, and polymer materials. In one embodiment, the first shaft 104 has a first end 228 and a second end 230. The first end 228 may have a flat surface 232 to interface with the flat shaft area 224. The second end 230 may be opposite the first end 228. In one embodiment, the first end 228 is ninety millimeters away from the second end 230. In one embodiment, the second end 230 may be rounded in order to facilitate placement of a toilet paper roll.

[0034] The first shaft 104 and / or its cross-section may be formed in any shape, including but not limited to cylindrical, conical, rectangular, pentagonal, or hexagonal. A first shaft 104 having a cylindrical shape may allow a toilet paper roll mounted on the first shaft 104 to rotate with reduced effort. A first shaft 104 having a polygonal shape may allow a toilet paper roll mounted on the first shaft 104 to be less free to rotate while the vertices of the polygon may contact the roll to create a secured coupling with reducing the surface area of contact to reduce the friction forces when sliding the roll on and off of the first shaft 104. Different shaft diameters and shapes may be used depending on user preference for freedom of rotation for the toilet paper, case of putting the toilet paper on the toilet paper holder 100, available material, and ease of production.

[0035] The first end 228 and the second end 230 may be the same size or different sizes. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first shaft 104 is cylindrical and the first end 228 and the second end 230 have the same diameter. The widest part of the first shaft 104 at either the first end 128, the second end 230, or along the first shaft 104 between the first end 228 and the second end 230 may be four and a half centimeters or less so that a toilet paper roll may fit around the shaft 104. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first shaft 104 has a diameter of 4.1 centimeters.

[0036] In one embodiment, the second shaft 206 is anchored to the base 102. The second shaft 206 may be fixed relative to the base 102. In one embodiment, the second shaft 206 is formed from one or more of wood, bamboo, metal, and polymer materials. The widest part of the second shaft 206 may have a diameter 236 less than the inner diameter of a toilet paper roll. In one embodiment, a diameter 236 between two centimeters and four and a half centimeters may be sufficient for the second shaft 206 to fit within a toilet paper roll.

[0037] The second shaft 206 and / or its cross-section may be formed in any shape, including but not limited to cylindrical, conical, rectangular, pentagonal, or hexagonal. A second shaft 206 having a cylindrical shape may allow a toilet paper roll mounted on the second shaft 206 to rotate with reduced effort. A second shaft 206 having a polygonal shape may allow a toilet paper roll mounted on the second shaft 206 to be less free to rotate while the vertices of the polygon may contact the roll to create a secured coupling with reducing the surface area of contact to reduce the friction forces when sliding the roll on and off of the second shaft 206. Different shaft diameters and shapes may be used depending on user preference for freedom of rotation for the toilet paper, case of putting the toilet paper on the toilet paper holder 100, available material, and case of production.

[0038] The second shaft 206 can have the same shape as the first shaft 104 or a different shape. The first end 270 of the second shaft 206 and the second end 272 of the second shaft 206 can be the same diameter or different diameters. The first end 270 of the second shaft 206 and the second end 272 of the second shaft 206 can be the same size as the first end 228 and the second end 230 of the first shaft 104.

[0039] In some cases, the first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 may be positioned on the base 102 such that two toilet paper rolls do not touch when one is placed around each shaft. For example, the first shaft 104 may be positioned three or more inches from the second shaft 206 to provide sufficient space for standard rolls of toilet paper to be placed over each shaft and not contact each other. The first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 may be made of a variety of wood, bamboo, metal, and polymer materials. In one embodiment, the shafts (see first shaft 104, second shaft 206) are made of bamboo.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a toilet paper holder 100. The first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 may be attached to the base 102 by screws, glue, geometric fitting, single material machining, dowelling, or any combination of various attachment styles. In one embodiment, the base 102 includes a first hole 340 and a second hole 342, the first shaft 104 includes a first corresponding hole 544, and the second shaft 206 includes a second corresponding hole in order to facilitate fastening the shafts (see first shaft 104, second shaft 206) to the base 102 via screws. A first screw 350 may be installed through the first hole 340 and into the first corresponding hole 544. A second screw 352 may be installed through the second hole 342 and into the second corresponding hole. In one embodiment, the first corresponding hole 544 is twenty-eight millimeters long. In one embodiment, the second corresponding hole is twenty-eight millimeters long. The ends of the screws may be flush with the bottom surface 720.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a toilet paper holder 100. In one embodiment, the backboard 108 has a front surface 212 and a back surface 414. The back surface 414 can include one or more regions 462 that are configured to attach the toilet paper holder 100 to the cabinet 164. In some cases, the back surface 414 includes one or more regions 462 for accepting an attachment mechanism 458. The one or more regions 462 may have features that facilitate coupling of the attachment mechanism 458 to the toilet paper holder 100. For example, the one or more regions 462 may define flat areas that are configured to couple with an adhesive member. In other cases, the one or more regions 462 may include texture to promote adhesion to the back surface 414. In another case, the one or more regions 462 may include a depressed region for the attachment mechanism 458 to be applied into so that the back surface 414 sits flush with the cabinet door 156 when mounted to the cabinet door 156. The attachment mechanism 458 may include Command Strips®, screws, hook and loop adhesive strips, wire hangers, or other methods of attachment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the flat adhesive area 416 is configured to accept Command Strips®.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a first shaft 104. In one embodiment, the first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 are 2 inches long. In another embodiment, the first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 are 10 inches long.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a top view of a toilet paper holder 100 with two rolls of toilet paper 668 placed onto the toilet paper holder 100. In one embodiment, the toilet paper holder 100 includes a base 102, a first shaft 104, and a second shaft 206. The base 102 comprises a backboard 108 and a shelf 110. In some cases, the toilet paper holder 100 may be mounted on a cabinet door in a position that causes a corner portion of the base 102 to contact other portions of the cabinet (e.g., an adjacent door) when the cabinet door is opened or shut. The base 102 can include features to avoid this type of contact. For example, the base 102 may include a chamfer 254 along a corner region which may remove material that would otherwise contact the cabinet when the door is opened or shut.

[0044] In some cases, the first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 may be positioned on the base 102 such that two toilet paper rolls do not touch when one is placed over each shaft. For example, the first shaft 104 may be positioned three or more inches from the second shaft 206 to provide sufficient space for standard rolls of toilet paper to be placed over each shaft and not contact each other.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of a toilet paper holder 100. In one embodiment, the bottom surface 720 of the shelf 110 is substantially flat.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a toilet paper 100. In one embodiment, the first shaft 104 and the second shaft 206 are anchored to the base 102 with a threaded pressed-in inserts (e.g., threaded pressed-in insert 880).

[0047] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a first shaft 104. In one embodiment, the first shaft 104 is configured to be anchored to the base 102 with threaded pressed-in inserts (e.g., threaded pressed-in insert 880).

Claims

1. A toilet paper holder for holding toilet paper rolls, the toilet paper holder comprising:a base formed from a homogenous sheet, wherein the base comprises:a backboard having a front surface and a back surface, the back surface comprising at least one flat adhesive area configured to receive an adhesive element; anda shelf having a bottom surface and a top surface, the top surface comprising a flat shaft area;a first shaft anchored to the base, the first shaft fixed relative to the base, the first shaft having a diameter of 4.5 cm or less, the first shaft defining:a first end having a flat surface to interface with the flat shaft area; anda second end opposite the first end; anda second shaft anchored to the base, the second shaft fixed relative to the base, the second shaft having a diameter of 4.5 cm or less.

2. The toilet paper holder of claim 1, wherein the first shaft is formed from one or more of wood, bamboo, and polymer materials.

3. The toilet paper holder of claim 1, wherein the first shaft is formed of metal.

4. The toilet paper holder of claim 1, wherein the second shaft is formed from one or more of wood, bamboo, and polymer materials.

5. The toilet paper holder of claim 1, wherein the second shaft is formed from metal.

6. The toilet paper holder of claim 1, wherein the second end is rounded.

7. The toilet paper holder of claim 1, wherein the first end has a greater diameter than the second end.

8. The toilet paper holder of claim 1, wherein the first end is anchored to the base at a distance of at least 3 inches from the second shaft.

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