US20150272404A1

US20150272404A1 - Toilet Paper Wetting Device

Info

Publication number: US20150272404A1
Application number: US14/562,035
Authority: US
Inventors: Chan Ho Jeon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-25
Filing date: 2014-12-05
Publication date: 2015-10-01

Abstract

A toilet paper wetting device for moistening a desired amount of toilet paper. The device includes a housing that can be mounted onto a wall adjacent to a roll of toilet paper in a bathroom. Water is supplied to the housing from a water source and can be dispensed as a fine mist by a spray mechanism within the upper end of the housing. The housing further includes a reservoir in which an antibacterial or scented solution can be stored. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the spray mechanism so that the solution can also be dispensed. The spray mechanism is actuated via one or more levers disposed on the housing. The lower end of the housing includes an upper surface with slots that allow liquid to pass into a removable tray slidably positioned on the lower end of the housing that collects excess liquid.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/970,055 filed on Mar. 25, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for moistening toilet paper. More specifically, the present invention provides a housing having a spray mechanism adapted to dispense water and an antibacterial or scented solution in order to moisten a piece of toilet paper.
People commonly use toilet paper to clean themselves when using the restroom. However, overuse of toilet paper can cause discomfort since toilet paper is dry and scratchy. Further, toilet paper is dry and may not be able to fully clean and sanitize the user. Toilet paper is also not scented so does not help to freshen the user.
Some people choose to use wet wipes for improved sanitization. Further, wet wipes may be scented which provides a fresh smell that helps the user to feel confident in their cleanliness. However, wet wipes are not constructed so as to be flushed in a toilet, as wet wipes do not disintegrate in water. Thus, flushing wet wipes may cause plumbing problems such as clogged pipes.
The present invention provides a toilet paper moistening device. The device comprises a housing mountable to a wall in a bathroom, and is preferably mounted adjacent to a toilet paper holder. The housing comprises an upper end, a midsection, and a lower end. The upper end includes a reservoir that is used to hold a scented or antibacterial solution and that is in fluid communication with a spray mechanism. Additionally, a water source can be connected to the housing so as to provide water to the spray mechanism. The spray mechanism is positioned on the upper end of the housing and includes a nozzle thereon that is used to dispense a mist of water and optionally the solution within the reservoir. The spray mechanism is actuated via one or more levers on the housing. The lower end of the housing includes an upper surface having slots thereon through which water can flow, wherein a removable tray is positioned thereunder for collecting excess liquid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to toilet paper wetting devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to toilet paper wetting devices that dispense water. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
One such device, U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,773 to Taft discloses a tissue paper moistening device. The device includes a vertical member mounted below a roll of toilet paper having a retractable arm thereon. The arm includes a liquid source on an end thereof that is adapted to moisten the tissue paper. The liquid source comprises a nozzle spaced from the area in which the paper is positioned so that the nozzle can be used to dispense liquid in order to wet the tissue paper. Thus, Taft fails to disclose a toilet paper wetting device having a reservoir in which antibacterial or scented solutions can be stored.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,943 to Nibler discloses a device for wetting toilet paper. The device includes a water dispenser disposed on a toilet and includes a secondary reservoir in low volume flow. The water is dispensed in a sheet and a lower portion of the device includes a container for collecting the water. Excess water is dispensed to the toilet bowl. Thus, Nibler discloses a water dispensing device attachable to a toilet that simply dispenses water for the user. The device does not include a reservoir for an antimicrobial or scented liquid to be mixed with water.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,556 to Suzuki discloses a toilet paper wetting device. The device includes a tank having a heater for heating the water therein and a nozzle for dispensing the warm water to wet a piece of toilet paper. A valve is provided for opening and closing the nozzle as desired by the user. Thus, Suzuki merely discloses a system for dispensing water for a user, and does not include a device having an additional reservoir for scented or antimicrobial solutions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,405 to Harm discloses a toilet paper misting device. The device includes a tube for transporting water from a water source to the housing of the device. The device can be secured to a toilet via a bracket and fasteners. A nozzle is disposed on the housing and is adapted to release a mist of cooled water onto a piece of toilet paper. Thus, Harm simply dispenses water from a water source and does not provide a reservoir for scented or antibacterial solutions.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,754 to Haile, Jr. discloses a device for moistening toilet paper. The device includes a mounting base securable to a toilet tank or wall. A valve having a nozzle thereon is adapted to emit a spray when the valve is activated using a lever. A paper support is used for supporting toilet paper over the nozzle. A drain pan is positioned below the nozzle and catches excess water, wherein the drain pan releases excess water to the toilet bowl. Thus, Haile, Jr. does not disclose a device having a reservoir in which a scented or antibacterial solution can be positioned.
These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The devices in the prior art primarily provide toilet paper wetting devices that dispense only water. Thus, the toilet paper wetting devices cannot dispense scented or antibacterial solutions, and do not include additional reservoirs for storing such solutions. Further, devices in the prior art return excess water to the toilet bowl, which requires the use of additional tubing disposed on the exterior of the toilet, which may provide an unappealing appearance and may be inconvenient for the user.
In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing toilet paper wetting devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toilet paper wetting devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new toilet paper wetting device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when wetting toilet paper.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toilet paper wetting device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a toilet paper wetting device adapted to dispense water and a scented or antibacterial solution.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paper wetting device having a spray mechanism with a nozzle thereon that is adapted to dispense a mist of water and an antibacterial solution when a user actuates a lever on the toilet paper wetting device.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paper wetting device comprising a refillable reservoir in which a scented or antibacterial solution can be stored.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paper wetting device comprising a removable tray that collects excess liquid.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paper wetting device having a drawer in which additional containers of antibacterial or scented solution can be stored.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paper wetting device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet paper wetting device mounted on a wall.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the slots on the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for wetting toilet paper. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet paper wetting device mounted on a wall. The toilet paper wetting device 11 comprises a housing 12 having a lower end, a midsection, and an upper end 14. The housing 12 has a substantially hollow interior volume. The housing 12 includes a rear wall that can be positioned flush against a wall 21 or other similar support surface. The rear wall is substantially flat so that it can be placed flush against a wall 21 and secured thereto by any suitable fastener. For example, the rear wall of the housing 12 can be adhesively secured to a wall 21, or can be secured via brackets and nails or bolts.
The upper end 14 of the housing 12 encloses a reservoir in which a solution can be stored so that it may be dispensed by the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention. The solution is preferably an antibacterial or a scented solution. The reservoir within the upper end 14 of the housing 12 is accessible via a panel 30 thereon. The panel 30 may be pivotally secured to the upper end 14 of the housing 12 by means of a hinge, or may be entirely removable therefrom. The reservoir comprises an opening in which solution can be added to the reservoir that can be accessed when the panel 30 is removed or pivoted. In this way, the reservoir can be refilled by accessing the opening on the reservoir by moving the removable panel 30.
The reservoir is in fluid communication with a spray mechanism having a nozzle 16, wherein the nozzle 16 is positioned on the exterior of the housing 12 on a front portion thereof. The nozzle 16 produces a fine mist of water and the solution so that toilet paper can be moistened without disintegrating. The nozzle 16 is directed downward towards the lower end of the housing 12. A control 20 is positioned on the upper end of the housing 12 that allows a user to control whether the solution within the reservoir will be dispensed in addition to water. Thus, the spray mechanism can be used to dispense only water or water and the solution within the housing.
The spray mechanism is preferably mechanical and is actuated via one or more levers 17 on the housing. Preferably, a lever 17 is positioned on each side of the upper end of the housing 12, wherein the user can actuate the levers 17 to operate the spray mechanism so that water and optionally the solution is dispensed from the nozzle 16 thereon. Any type of spray mechanism can be used that produces a fine mist of liquid. Water is supplied to the spray mechanism via a water line, and solution is supplied to the spray mechanism from the reservoir. Thus, the solution and water from the water source flow to the spray mechanism and can be simultaneously dispensed when the lever 17 is actuated.
The lower end of the housing 12 is substantially rectangular and includes an upper surface 15 adapted to collect excess liquid dispensed from the nozzle 16. The upper surface 15 includes one or more openings or slots 28 thereon that allows liquid to pass therethrough. The upper surface 15 is preferably concave so that water and solution dispensed from the spraying mechanism will be funneled towards a central portion of the upper surface 15, and thus towards the slots 28. Underneath the upper surface 15 is a removable tray 19. In this way, excess liquid can pass through the slots 28 on the upper surface 15 of the lower end for collection in the tray 19. Once the tray 19 is filled with water or other liquid, the user may remove the tray 19 in order to dispose of the liquid therein.
The lower end of the housing 12 may further include one or more drawers 18 thereon. The drawer 18 includes a bottom wall, upstanding sidewalls, and an open upper end, defining an interior volume. The drawer 18 can be used to store containers of scented solutions or antimicrobial solutions that can be used to fill the reservoir in the upper end 14 of the housing 12. The drawer 18 is slidably installed on the lower end of the housing 12 so that it can be opened and closed by sliding the drawer 18 in a horizontal plane. The drawer 18 includes a handle thereon for allowing the user to easily open and close the drawer 18.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross sectional view of the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention. A water source can be connected to the present invention so as to supply water thereto. Accordingly, the lower end of the housing 12 includes an opening 25 thereon to which a water supply 26 can be connected. The opening 25 allows the water supply 26 to be in fluid communication with a first tube 24 within the housing 12. The first tube 24 is preferably fully enclosed within the housing 12 so that it is not visible from the exterior of the housing 12. The first tube 24 is positioned vertically and extends from the lower end of the housing 12, through the midsection, and into the upper end of the housing 12. A first end of the first tube 24 is connected to the opening 25 and a second end of the first tube 25 is connected to a spray mechanism 27.
The spray mechanism 27 is also in fluid communication with a second tube 23 that is used to supply the solution held within the reservoir 22 to the spray mechanism 27. Preferably, the solution is supplied to the spray mechanism via gravitational flow. The control 20 on the upper end of the housing 12 can be actuated to control whether solution within the reservoir will be dispensed via the spray mechanism 27. When the control 20 is depressed, a stopper 29 blocks the second tube 23, preventing the solution within the reservoir from flowing to the spray mechanism 27. When the control 20 is not depressed, the stopper 29 is withdrawn from the second tube 23, allowing the solution to flow therethrough. Any type of valve can be used to open or close the second tube 23, allowing a user to control whether the solution in the reservoir will flow to the spray mechanism. Thus, the spray mechanism 27 can be operated so as to cause water fed through the first tube 25 and optionally solution fed through the second tube 23 to be dispensed through the nozzle 16.
The reservoir 22 can be accessed for refilling via a panel 30 on the upper end 14 of the housing 12. The panel 30 can be pivoted or removed in order to access an opening 34 on the reservoir 22. The user may view the level of the solution within the reservoir 22 to determine if additional solution is required, and the user can utilize the opening 34 to pour additional solution in order to fill the reservoir 22.
Further, the lower end of the housing 12 comprises an upper surface having one or more slots 28 thereon. The upper surface is preferably concave such that liquid is funneled towards the center of the upper surface, preventing liquid from leaking from the sides of the upper surface. The slots 28 allow liquid to pass through the upper surface and into the tray 19 thereunder. The tray 19 is slidably positioned within the lower end of the housing 12 and can be removed for disposal of liquid collected therein. Further, a drawer 18 is positioned on the lower end of the housing 12, and beneath the tray 19. The drawer 18 can be used to store various articles, including containers of solution that can be used to fill the reservoir.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a close-up view of the slots on the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention. The upper surface 15 of the lower end of the toilet paper wetting device 11 comprises one or more slots 28 thereon. The slots 28 allow water or other liquid dispensed by the toilet paper wetting device to pass through the upper surface 15 into the tray 19 thereunder. The slots 28 may comprise circular openings, elongated rectangular openings, or any other type of opening that allows liquid to pass therethrough. The tray comprises a bottom wall 32, and upstanding sidewalls therearound, defining an interior volume. The interior volume is adapted to collect liquid that has passed through the slots 28. The tray 19 is enclosed within the lower end and can be slidably removed therefrom. Thus, a user may periodically remove and empty the tray 19 to remove excess liquid that has collected therein. This prevents liquid from collecting on the upper surface 15 or from spilling off of the device and onto the floor.
Thus, in operation, the user can mount the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention to a wall or similar support surface using any suitable fastener. A water source can be connected to the housing in order to supply water to the housing. A reservoir positioned in the upper end of the housing can be filled with a scented or antibacterial solution. The user can then position a desired amount of toilet paper above the lower end of the housing and beneath the nozzle on the upper end of the housing. The user can actuate a lever on the side of the housing in order to dispense a mist of water and solution through the nozzle.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, 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 the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention 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 invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) A toilet paper wetting device, comprising:

a housing having a lower end, a midsection, and an upper end;

a reservoir adapted to store a liquid solution therein, wherein said reservoir is in fluid communication with a spray mechanism;

a first tube in fluid communication with said spray mechanism, wherein said first tube is adapted to supply water from a water source;

a nozzle disposed on said spray mechanism, wherein a mixture of water and said liquid solution is dispensed through said nozzle when said spray mechanism is actuated.

2) The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein said spray mechanism is actuated via one or more levers disposed on said housing.

3) The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein said lower end of said housing includes at least one drawer thereon.

4) The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein

said lower end of said housing includes an upper surface having one or more slots thereon, and wherein said lower end of said housing includes a removable tray beneath said upper surface, such that excess liquid flows through said one or more slots and is collected in said removable tray.

5) The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein

said lower end of said housing includes an upper surface having a concave configuration.

6) The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein a rear wall of said housing includes a fastener for mounting said housing to a support surface.

7) The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein said reservoir is positioned with an upper end of said housing and wherein said reservoir includes an opening thereon.

8) The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein said reservoir is positioned within said upper end of said housing and is accessible via a removable panel on said upper end of said housing.

9) The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, further comprising a control on said housing adapted to allow a user to control the flow of said liquid solution within said reservoir to said spray mechanism, said control adapted to allow a user to prevent said liquid solution from flowing to said spray mechanism.

10) The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein

said nozzle is directed toward said lower end of said housing.