Single hand paper towel holder

Abstract

A holder includes a holding member having a first edge and a second edge. The first edge and the second edge define an opening. A base is coupled to the holding member, and a central rod is coupled to the base. The holding member changes position or is stationary with respect to the base, and the base includes a stability member adapted to secure the holder to a surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A holder, comprising:
 a base including a stability member configured to secure the holder to a surface;   a central rod coupled to the base, the central rod configured to accept a roll of material; and   a holding member coupled to the base, the holding member including a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge defining an opening, the holding member configured to one of change position relative to the base and be stationary relative to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the central rod is configured to receive and dispense a paper towel roll. 
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the first edge is corrugated. 
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the first edge includes at least one ridge adapted to contact the paper towel roll at a desired area. 
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the second edge includes a sloped platform extending outwardly from the paper towel roll. 
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 5 , wherein the sloped platform includes at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein at least one paper towel may be separated from the paper towel roll disposed on the central rod using either or both of the first edge and the second edge. 
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the holding member rotates from a first position adjacent to an outer perimeter of the base to a second position adjacent the central rod. 
     
     
         9 . The holder of  claim 8 , wherein a rotating mechanism rotates the holding member from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The holder of  claim 9 , wherein a first end of the holding member is coupled to a housing disposed in the base and a second end of the holding member is coupled to an arm extending outwardly from the housing, and wherein each of the first end and the second end of the holding member extends through a corresponding aperture disposed in the base. 
     
     
         11 . The holder of  claim 8 , wherein the base includes a track configured to receive and guide the holding member as it rotates from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         12 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the stability member includes a suction cup configured to secure the holder to a surface by creating a vacuum. 
     
     
         13 . The holder of  claim 12 , wherein the suction cup includes a tab disposed on a sidewall of the suction cup, the tab configured to release the vacuum securing the holder to the surface. 
     
     
         14 . The holder of  claim 13 , wherein the suction cup is coupled to the base using a rotating member coupled to the suction cup and an attachment means coupled to the base and configured to receive the rotating member. 
     
     
         15 . The holder of  claim 14 , wherein the rotating member is adapted to position the tab of the suction cup adjacent a cut out disposed in a sidewall of the base when the rotating member is secured in the attachment means. 
     
     
         16 . A holder, comprising:
 a connecting mechanism configured to couple the holder to a wall;   a holding member coupled to the connecting mechanism, the holding member having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge defining an opening, the holding member configured to rotate relative to one or both of the connecting mechanism and the wall, the holding member configured to receive a paper towel through the opening.   
     
     
         17 . The holder of  claim 16 , wherein the first edge includes at least one ridge adapted to contact the paper towel at a desired area and the second edge includes a sloped platform extending outwardly from the holding member and the wall, the sloped platform having at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         18 . The holder of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a preexisting paper towel roll holder coupled to the wall, wherein the holding member is configured to be positioned directly above the preexisting paper towel roll holder so that gravity pulls the first edge of the holding member onto a paper towel roll positioned on the preexisting paper towel roll holder.   
     
     
         19 . The holder of  claim 18 , wherein at least one paper towel may be separated from the paper towel roll disposed on the preexisting paper towel roll holder using either or both of the first edge and the second edge of the holding member. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a holder, comprising:
 providing a holder including a holding member having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge defining an opening, a base that is coupled to the holding member, and a central rod that is coupled to the base, wherein the holding member rotates with respect to the base, and wherein the base includes a stability member adapted to secure the holder to a surface;   providing a paper towel roll;   placing the paper towel roll on the central rod of the holder;   pulling a desired number and configuration of paper towels through the opening of the holding member; and   using one or both of the first edge and the second edge to easily and precisely separate the paper towels from the paper towel roll.