Tissue-dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A tissue-dispensing apparatus ( 10 ) is provided for attaching to a mounting surface ( 14 ), containing a tissue roll ( 16 ), and dispensing sheets of tissue fabric therefrom. In one embodiment, the apparatus ( 10 ) is a one-piece contoured sleeve ( 12 ). This one-piece sleeve ( 12 ) includes a tubular portion ( 18 ) and a mounting portion ( 20 ) that extends from the tubular portion ( 18 ). The tubular portion ( 18 ) is sized for holding the tissue roll ( 16 ) therein and includes a slot ( 22 ) for dispensing tissue fabric therethrough. Moreover, the mounting portion ( 20 ) is intended to attach the tissue-dispensing apparatus ( 10 ) to a wall, a door, a bathroom stall partition, or other suitable mounting surfaces.

1 . A tissue-dispensing apparatus for attachment to a mounting surface, said tissue-dispensing apparatus for mounting a tissue roll therein, said tissue-dispensing apparatus for dispensing a tissue fabric therefrom, comprising: 
 a one-piece contoured sleeve having a tubular portion and a mounting portion extending from said tubular portion, said tubular portion for holding the tissue roll therein, said mounting portion for attaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus to the mounting surface, said tubular portion further including a slot for allowing the tissue fabric to pass therethrough.    
     
     
         2 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said mounting portion has at least one opening integrally formed therein for receiving at least one fastener and attaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus to the mounting surface.  
     
     
         3 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said mounting portion has at least one fastener coupled thereto for attaching said mounting portion to the mounting surface.  
     
     
         4 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 3  wherein said at least one fastener is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive fastener, a magnetic fastener, a screw fastener, and a rivet fastener.  
     
     
         5 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said one-piece contoured sleeve is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a plastic material, a metallic material, and a resilient material.  
     
     
         6 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said mounting portion has a planar construction for attachment to a planar mounting surface.  
     
     
         7 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said mounting portion includes an overhang portion extending therefrom for hanging the tissue-dispensing apparatus on at least one of a door edge, a window sill, and a projection extending from the mounting surface.  
     
     
         8 . A tissue-dispensing apparatus for attachment to a mounting surface, said tissue-dispensing apparatus for mounting a tissue roll therein, said tissue-dispensing apparatus for dispensing a tissue fabric therefrom, comprising: 
 a one-piece contoured sleeve having a tubular portion and a mounting portion extending from said tubular portion, said tubular portion for holding the tissue roll therein, said mounting portion for attaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus to the mounting surface, said tubular portion further including a slot for allowing the tissue fabric to pass therethrough; and    an endcap coupled to a distal portion of said tubular element for covering an end portion of the tissue fabric.    
     
     
         9 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said endcap includes at least one notch formed therein for receiving an edge of said tubular portion.  
     
     
         10 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said tubular portion has an edge portion with a groove formed therein for receiving said endcap and coupling said endcap thereto.  
     
     
         11 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 10  wherein said endcap has a rib for insertion into said groove of said tubular portion and attaching said endcap to said tubular portion in a snap-fit engagement.  
     
     
         12 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said tubular portion has an edge portion with a rib protruding therefrom for engaging said endcap and attaching said endcap to said tubular portion in a snap-fit engagement.  
     
     
         13 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 12  wherein said endcap has a groove formed therein for receiving said rib and attaching said endcap to said tubular portion in said snap-fit engagement.  
     
     
         14 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said mounting portion has at least one opening integrally formed therein for receiving at least one fastener and attaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus to the mounting surface.  
     
     
         15 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said mounting portion has at least one fastener coupled thereto for attaching said mounting portion to the mounting surface, said at least one fastener being selected from the group consisting of an adhesive fastener, a magnetic fastener, a screw fastener, and a rivet fastener.  
     
     
         16 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said one-piece contoured sleeve is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a plastic material, a metallic material, and a resilient material.  
     
     
         17 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said mounting portion has at least one of: 
 a planar construction for attachment to a planar mounting surface; and  
 an overhang portion extending therefrom for hanging the tissue-dispensing apparatus on at least one of a door edge, a windowsill, and a projection extending from the mounting surface.  
 
     
     
         18 . A tissue-dispensing apparatus for attachment to a mounting surface, said tissue-dispensing apparatus for mounting a tissue roll therein, said tissue-dispensing apparatus for dispensing a tissue fabric therefrom, comprising: 
 a one-piece contoured sleeve having a tubular portion and a mounting portion extending from said tubular portion, said tubular portion for holding the tissue roll therein, said mounting portion for attaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus to the mounting surface, said tubular portion further including a slot for allowing the tissue fabric to pass therethrough;    a pair of endcaps coupled to a pair of opposing distal portions of said tubular element, said pair of endcaps intended to covering the tissue fabric; and    a spindle coupled to said pair of endcaps and intended to be inserted into the tissue roll and suspend the tissue roll within the tubular portion.    
     
     
         19 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 18  wherein each of said pair of endcaps has a support member formed therein for coupling said spindle thereto.  
     
     
         20 . The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in  claim 18  wherein said mounting portion is attached to at least one of an exiting door for a bathroom and a wall adjacent to said exiting door.