Paper towel holder

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.

1 . 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.  
   
   
   
       2 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base member is adapted cover the opening adjoining the interior portion of the enclosure member when in the second position relative to the enclosure member, such that the base member and the enclosure member cooperate to form a substantially watertight barrier to protect the cavity from environmental conditions exterior to the receptacle.  
   
   
       3 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises: 
 a first support member coupled to the base portion; and    a second support member coupled to the enclosure portion.    
   
   
       4 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the first support member comprises a hollow core; and    the second support member is slidably disposed within the hollow core of the first support member, such that, when the base member is in the second position relative to the enclosure member, the second support member is disposed at least partially outside the hollow core of the first support member and when the base member is in the first position relative to the enclosure member, the second support member is disposed substantially within the hollow core of the first support member.    
   
   
       5 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism is incorporated in at least one of the first support member and the second support member.  
   
   
       6 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a second locking mechanism configured to allow the base member to be locked in the first position relative to the enclosure member.  
   
   
       7 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the second locking mechanism is incorporated in at least one of the first support member and the second support member.  
   
   
       8 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the second locking mechanism is incorporated in at least one of the base member and the enclosure member.  
   
   
       9 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for biasing the base member toward the first position relative to the enclosure member.    
   
   
       10 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the means for biasing the base member comprises a spring.  
   
   
       11 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the means for biasing the base member comprises an elastic member.  
   
   
       12 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the means for biasing the base member comprises gravity.  
   
   
       13 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the support member comprises the means for biasing the base member.  
   
   
       14 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the locking member is configured to be engaged when the base member is rotated to a certain degree relative to the enclosure member, thereby locking the base member in the second position relative to the enclosure member.  
   
   
       15 . A receptacle for holding a rolled product as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an attachment member coupled to at least one of the base member and the enclosure member, wherein the attachment member is configured to allow the receptacle to be mounted on a surface external to the receptacle.    
   
   
       16 . 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.    
   
   
       17 . A method of using a rolled product as recited in  claim 16 , the method further comprising: 
 engaging the locking member by rotating the base member to a certain degree relative to the enclosure member, thereby locking the base member in the second position relative to the enclosure member.    
   
   
       18 . A method of using a rolled product as recited in  claim 16 , the method further comprising: 
 disposing the base member in the first position relative to the enclosure member, such that the rolled product is disposed within the interior portion of the receptacle.    
   
   
       19 . A method of using a rolled product as recited in  claim 18 , the method further comprising: 
 prior to disposing the base member in the first position relative to the enclosure member, disengaging the locking member by rotating the base member to a certain degree relative to the enclosure member, thereby unlocking the base member and allowing the base member to be disposed in the first position relative to the enclosure member.    
   
   
       20 . A method of using a rolled product as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the receptacle further comprises an attachment member coupled to at least one of the base member and the enclosure member, wherein the attachment member is configured to allow the receptacle to be mounted on a surface external to the receptacle; 
 the method further comprising: 
 mounting the receptacle on a surface external to the receptacle.