Blog: bideo –
Toilet roll holder with
moistening function

Introduction

Thorsten Homma presented his innovative product bideo in the ninth season of the popular start-up show "Die Höhle der Löwen" (counterpart to shark tank in the USA) on March 22, 2021. The toilet roll holder with a moistening function impressed investor Ralf Dümmel, who secured a deal.

With bideo, conventional toilet paper can be moistened on demand, representing an environmentally friendly and skin-friendly alternative to moist toilet paper.

bideo converts conventional toilet paper into moist toilet paper, but is also suitable for dry use. bideo is mounted on the wall like a normal toilet paper holder. Its use is relatively simple and can be summarized in the following four points:

1. Pull upwards and the paper remains dry
2. Pull downwards and the paper is moistened selectively
3. Draw slowly = little water
4. Pull faster = more water

The idea behind bideo

Thorsten Homma recognized the disadvantages of moist toilet paper, in particular the environmental impact and possible skin irritation caused by chemical additives. His aim was to develop a solution that avoids these problems and still offers the convenience of moistened toilet paper. After intensive development work, bideo was created, a toilet paper holder that moistens normal toilet paper as needed and thus represents a sustainable alternative.

Moist toilet paper and alternatives:
What is already available?

There are numerous products on the market that are intended to replace or supplement the use of moist toilet tissue. Here is an overview:

1. Classic wet wipes: Easy to use, but problematic for the environment as many products include microplastics and pollute wastewater systems.
2. Bidets: A hygienic and sustainable alternative that is widespread in many cultures. However, a bidet is expensive to buy and often takes up a lot of space.
3. Intimate cleansing foams: These products, such as RINGANA FRESH stay fresh, are applied to dry toilet paper. They are environmentally friendly and do not contain any harmful chemicals.
4. Oils for cleaning: Natural oils such as coconut or almond oil can be applied to toilet paper and provide gentle and long-lasting cleansing.
5. Gel-based solutions: Moisturizing gels are applied directly to the paper, allowing for individual dosage.
6. Reusable wet wipes: Washable alternatives are particularly environmentally friendly, but require more intensive cleaning.

What makes bideo unique?

bideo is characterized by its ease of use and flexibility:

• Dry peel-off: If you pull the paper upwards, it remains dry.
• Moistened peel-off: If the paper is pulled downwards, it is moistened at certain points.
• Regulate the amount of water: The speed of pulling determines the amount of moisture - slow pulling results in less water, fast pulling results in more water.

A major advantage:
In contrast to conventional moist toilet paper, the innovative technology increases the tear resistance of the paper, as the moisture is not distributed evenly across the paper.

Patent for bideo (EP3275355B1)

In view of previous toilet paper devices, bideo has the special feature that its paper dispensing device runs a paper web coming from a paper roll 5 between a pressure roller 3 pressing against gravity and several moistening rollers 11 located below and adjacent to each other, which in turn have recesses 10 on the outside which are arranged offset from each other (see Fig. 1 of the bideo patent).

[Fig. 1 of the bideo patent]

In prior art D2 (WO9208403A1), a similar type of output device 1 is proposed, which can wet a web section 9 of a roll 4 with a treatment substance 7 by means of a roller 15 stored in a storage container 6 when the web section is pulled downwards (cf. Fig. 1 of D2).

The disadvantage of this is the evenly distributed wetness in the transverse direction of the web section 9.

Such an even lateral distribution of the wetness is prevented in bideo by the different offset of the recesses 10 (see FIG. 1 of the bideo patent), which thus leads to a better tear resistance of the paper.

[Fig. 1 of D2]

In the further prior art D1 (EP1107685A1), a paper dispenser is disclosed which has a moistening roller 6 which is provided with an absorbent covering 8 at its circumference (see Fig. 1 of D1).

[Fig. 1 of D1]

In conjunction with D2, this design would considerably increase the problem of cross-wetting.

The bideo toilet paper holder with moistening function allows the use of normal toilet paper, which can be moistened selectively as required. In contrast to conventional devices, the bideo offers improved tear resistance of the paper thanks to a special arrangement of the moistening elements that prevents moisture from being evenly distributed across the paper.

Conclusion

bideo is a real innovation from "Die Höhle der Löwen" and offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for daily hygiene. It combines ease of use, clever design and a positive impact on the environment.

For anyone looking for smart and sustainable products, bideo is a must-have.

Taking part in "Die Höhle der Löwen" has given bideo the crucial attention that every start-up needs in the early stages. The combination of media coverage, capital and the expertise of an investor creates the ideal conditions for successfully establishing an idea on the market. With the right intellectual property rights, this market is secured.

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Disclaimer: The above contribution reflects the personal opinion of the author. The assessments and statements made in the article do not constitute legal advice and are provided under exclusion of any liability. If you need an assessment of an individual case, please contact the author and/or the law firm KUHNEN & WACKER.