U.S. patent application number 10/146991 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-26 for wet towelette dispenser.
Invention is credited to Tosdale, Robert J..
Application Number | 20030116582 10/146991 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26844475 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030116582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tosdale, Robert J. |
June 26, 2003 |
Wet towelette dispenser
Abstract
This invention is a dispenser for moist towelettes. The
dispenser surrounds and secures a commercial container of moist
towelettes. The dispenser has an orifice on one end which
preferably corresponds and cooperates with an orifice in the top of
the commercial container for dispensing the towelettes. The
dispenser itself is secured to a wall or counter top, preferably
permanently or semi-permanently, and in its one embodiment the
dispenser is a shell which has a closed bottom which transitions
into an integral securement means. The integral securement means in
one embodiment is a flat, vertical rectangular bracket which
connects at its bottom to the bottom of the cylindrical shell by a
span or web. In another embodiment, the securement means is a
horizontal base affixed to a counter top which receives and secures
the dispenser shell.
Inventors: |
Tosdale, Robert J.; (Boise,
ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEDERSEN & COMPANY, PLLC
P.O. BOX 2666
BOISE
ID
83701
US
|
Family ID: |
26844475 |
Appl. No.: |
10/146991 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60291515 |
May 15, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/70 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/3266 20130101;
A47K 10/3818 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/70 |
International
Class: |
B65H 005/28 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A moist towelette dispenser comprising a combination of a first
container for containing moist towelettes and a second container
for holding the first container, wherein: the first container has
an opening on one end for dispensing the towelettes contained
therein; and the second container surrounds the first container,
the second container having an orifice which generally corresponds
in location to and cooperates with the opening on one end of the
first container, and wherein the second container secures the first
container to a wall or counter top at least semi-permanently.
2. The towelette dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second container
has a restrictor in the orifice adapted to control dispensing of
towelettes.
3. The towelette dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second container
has a restrictor in the orifice adapted to limit evaporation.
4. The towelette dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second container
is a shell with an orifice in its top end, which top end is
removably securable to the top of the shell.
5. The towelette dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second container
has a bottom which transitions into an integral securement
means.
6. The towelette dispenser of claim 5, wherein the integral
securement means is a flat, vertical rectangular bracket which
connects to the second container by a horizontal span.
7. The towelette dispenser of claim 5, wherein the integral
securement means is a horizontal base which receives and secures
the first container, said horizontal base being adapted to be
affixed to a counter top.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority of prior, pending
Provisional Application Serial No. 60/291,515 filed May 15, 2001,
which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to paper or tissue
towelette containers and dispensers. More particularly, this
invention relates to a convenient dispenser for moist
towelettes.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] There are many different styles of containers and dispensers
for moist towelettes, including for example:
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,687 (Boone) discloses a suspended frame
for hanging a container of wet towelettes from a roll-type
toilet-tissue holder.
[0007] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,106,617 (Boone) and 4,235,333 (Boone)
disclose a bathroom fixture for supporting both a roll-type
toilet-tissue holder and a wet towelette container.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,095 (Philips) discloses a harness for
suspending a container of wet towelettes from the spindle of a
roll-type toilet-tissue holder.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,249 (Harsanyi et al.) discloses a
self-standing medical clean-up kit for dispensing both wet and dry
towelettes.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,730 B1 (McClymonds) discloses a
wall-hanging dispenser for both wet and dry towelettes.
[0011] U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 322,215 (Hunt), 322,931 (Hunt),
322,932 (Hunt), U.S. Design Pat. No. 344,830 (Carter et al.) and
U.S. Design Pat. No. 417,351 (Scavuzzo) all disclose ornamental
designs for containers for wet towelettes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] This invention is a convenient dispenser for moist
towelettes. The dispenser surrounds and secures a commercial
container of moist towelettes. The dispenser of this invention may
also support the commercial container. The dispenser has an orifice
on one end for dispensing the towelettes. Preferably, the dispenser
orifice corresponds and cooperates with an orifice in the top of
the commercial container. Preferably, in the orifice of the
dispenser is a plastic or rubber restrictor which acts to seal the
orifice during non-use to limit evaporation, and permit dispensing
of only one towelette at a time during use. The dispenser itself is
secured to a wall or counter top, preferably permanently or
semi-permanently.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser is a cylindrical
shell with an orifice and a restrictor in its top end, which top
end is removably securable to the top of the cylindrical shell. In
this preferred embodiment the cylindrical shell has a closed bottom
which transitions into an integral securement means. The integral
securement means in one embodiment is a flat, vertical, rectangular
bracket which connects at its bottom to the bottom of the
cylindrical shell by a horizontal span. In another embodiment, the
securement means is a horizontal cylindrical base fixed onto a
counter top which receives and secures the cylindrical shell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a first wall-mount
embodiment of the invention, showing a perforated roll of
towelettes inside.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side, partly exploded view of a first counter
top-mount embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of a second, slide-on wall-mount
embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of a third, recessed tip-out
wall-mount embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of a second counter top-mount
embodiment of the invention for a stack of interleaved folded
sheets of towelettes.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of the invention wherein the dispenser has a relatively
loose-fitting, plate-like lid.
[0020] FIGS. 7A and 7B are, respectively, top and partial side
views of another alternative embodiment of the invention wherein
the dispenser has a relatively loose-fitting lid, like a shallow,
inverted cup.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Still, consumers are looking for a convenient dispenser for
moist towelettes. In those cases wherein the towelettes are joined
together, whether by perforated boundaries on a long roll or by
interleaved edges or sides of separate sheets, the dispenser of
this invention will satisfy the consumer's desires.
[0022] Referring to the Figures, there are depicted several, but
not all, embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 1 is
depicted a perspective view of a first wall-mount version of the
invention. Dispenser 10 has cylindrical shell 12 with a top end 14
and a bottom end 16. Top end 14 is removable, in this case, by
twisting counter-clockwise to disengage lugs 18 out from detents 19
which are shown in FIG. 2. Also shown in FIG. 2 are lugs 18' in
bottom end 16 for releasably securing bottom end 16 to detents 19'
in cylindrical shell 12.
[0023] Near the center of top end 14 is orifice 20 for dispensing
the towelettes. Preferably, orifice 20 is fitted with plastic or
rubber restrictor 22 which reduces the orifice 20 to a thin slit.
This way, restrictor 22 acts to seal orifice 20 during non-use, and
to assist in dispensing just one towelette at a time from it during
use.
[0024] In one preferred embodiment, securement means 26 for
connecting dispenser 10 to a wall is integral with bottom end 16.
In this case, securement means 26 is a flat, vertical rectangular
bracket 26 which connects at its bottom end to the bottom end 16 of
cylindrical shell 12 by span or web 28. In bracket 26 are
reinforcement ribs 30 and screws 32 for assisting with securing
dispenser 10 to a wall.
[0025] In another preferred embodiment as depicted in FIG. 2,
securement means 34 for connecting dispenser 10 to a counter top is
also integral with bottom end 16. In this case, securement means 34
is a horizontal cylindrical base which has several screw holes
through bottom end 16 for receiving screws for being screwed into
the counter top.
[0026] In another preferred embodiment as depicted in FIG. 3, other
securement means 36 for connecting dispenser 10 to a wall may be
integral with a side wall of cylindrical shell 12. In this case,
securement means 36 is two (2) tabs 38 on vertical wall bracket 36
which fit snugly into groove 40 in the side of cylindrical shell
12.
[0027] Other securement means, including means 26 and 36 for
wall-mount as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively, and means 34
for counter top-mount as depicted in FIG. 2, are within the scope
of this invention. For example, glue, tape (single or
double-sided), magnets, hook-and loop fasteners, tongue and groove
combinations, snap fits, or even relatively heavy weights (greater
than about 1 pound) may be used to secure dispenser 10 to a wall or
to a counter top, as the case may be.
[0028] In another preferred embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4, other
securement means 44 for connecting dispenser 10 into a wall may
also be integral with bottom end 16. In this case a recess 46 is
constructed in wall 48, and a hinge pin 50 is inserted into wall 48
so that the pin 50 extends slightly into recess 46 at both the
lower front corners thereof. This way, spring and pivot 44, which
is built into the lower front corners of dispenser 10, may be
installed to cooperate with hinge pin 50. Dispenser 10, then, will
pivot at its top end 14 out away from recess 46 and wall 48, in
order to make orifice 20 with towelettes 52 available to the user.
For added convenience, a handle, or as in the case illustrated, a
finger depression 54, may be installed in or near the top end 14 of
dispenser 10 in order to facilitate the tipping out of it for use.
When use of dispenser 10 is completed, then spring and pivot 44
will automatically return the dispenser into recess 46.
[0029] In another preferred embodiment as depicted in FIG. 5,
dispenser 10 has a generally rectangular, tub-like shell 56, and
generally rectangular top end 58 and bottom end 60. In top end 58
is orifice 62 with rubber or plastic restrictor 64. In bottom end
60 is securement means 66, in the case illustrated, 4 (four)
screws, for securing dispenser 10 to a counter top.
[0030] For all embodiments of the invention, there may be provided
a relatively loose-fitting lid for the dispenser 10. One version of
this lid is depicted in FIG. 6. In this case, the top end of
dispenser 10 has a lower hinge portion 70. A thin, plate-like lid
72 is provided which fits relatively loosely inside the raised
perimeter 74 of the top end of dispenser 10. The bottom surface of
lid 72 has its own upper hinge portion 76. Pin 78 cooperates with
both lower hinge portion 70 and upper hinge portion 76, coupling
them together and providing a pivot capability for lid 72.
[0031] FIG. 7A depicts the bottom surface 80 of an alternative
loosely-fitting, shallow inverted cup-like lid 82 with its upper
hinge portion 84. FIG. 7B depicts a partial side view of lid 82 and
its loosely-fitting relationship with the top of dispenser 10. The
relatively loose fit between lid 72, 82 and the top of dispenser 10
is enough to slow evaporation of any liquid used to make the
towelettes in the dispenser 10 wet or moist. In this case, just a
"gravity-fit" from the weight of the lid 72, 82 against the top end
of the dispenser is enough. A more restrictive friction-fit between
the outer edge of lid 72 and the inner surface of the raised
perimeter 74 of the top end of dispenser 10 is not required, but
may, however, be provided.
[0032] In all embodiments of the invention, dispenser 10 is adapted
to receive within its shell the commercially available container or
package for the towelettes. This is true whether the container is
an upright tube for enclosing a long wet roll with perforations, or
a more horizontal tub of stacked, interleaved separate wet sheets.
In all cases, before the commercially available container is placed
within dispenser 10, it is first opened so its contents are
available to start through restrictor 22 and orifice 20. In a
preferred embodiment then, when the commercially available
container is a minimal-packaging single plastic bag, the top of the
bag is opened, and the opened bag, with its towelette contents is
simply placed to rest within dispenser 10.
[0033] Also, for dispenser 10, no additional structure besides the
shell is required within the shell 12 to hold or support or secure
the commercially available container. For example, in contrast to
the tub containment prong 35, 135 and 235 disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,189,730 B1 (McClymonds) FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, and at col. 5,
lines 26 and 51, col. 6, line 11, col. 7, line 42, and at col. 8,
lines 17 and 67, the present invention requires no such prong.
[0034] Also, in top end 14 of dispenser 10, only a single orifice
20 is required. No second orifice is required, for example, to
permit the lid of the commercially available container to pass
through. In contrast, U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,730 B1 discloses a wet
towelette dispenser with two (2) orifices in its top end, one (e.g.
29, 129 and 229) strap slot, and one (e.g., 32, 132 and 232)
towelette aperture--see FIGS. 1, 1A, 3 and 5, and at col. 5, lines
21, 24, 48 and 49, col. 6, lines 7 and 9, col. 7, lines 23 and 28,
and col. 8, lines 6, 8, 61 and 63. The dispenser of the present
invention does not require these two (2) orifices.
[0035] The dispenser of the present invention may be made from
conventional materials by conventional methods. For example, molded
units in one of several types of plastic, e.g., Nylon.TM.,
Delrin.TM., etc., are expected to be preferred. Also, units may
also be made of thin metal that is stamped or cut and fastened to
shape.
[0036] In all embodiments of the invention, the dispenser (second
container) "surrounds" the commercially available package (first
container) of moist towelettes. By "surrounds," I mean encircles
and covers in order to prevent undue evaporation of the liquid
which makes the towelettes moist. Also, in all embodiments, the
dispenser "secures" the commercially available package. By
"secures," I mean to fix or fasten so as not to give way, and
permit one-handed removal of a towelette from both the first and
second containers. This way, the dispenser may be conveniently
operated with just one hand. This affixing or fastening may be
achieved with screws or nails, with adhesive or friction fit, or
hook and loop fastening materials, for example. Also, a weight of
about one pound or more may be enough to "secure" the dispenser to
a counter top, for example, and still achieve one-handed
operation.
[0037] The affixing or fastening may be semi-permanent or
permanent. By "semi-permanent," I mean permanently enough for the
one-hand operation described above.
[0038] In some embodiments of the invention, the top end of the
dispenser (second container) may be "removably securable" to the
bottom end of the dispenser. This way, the user may obtain easy
access to the interior of the dispenser for filling and emptying
the dispenser of its contents, namely the commercially available
package (first container) of moist towelettes. This "removably
securable" state may be achieved with a slightly threaded
connection as described relating to FIG. 2, above, or, this state
may be achieved with a friction fit, also.
[0039] In some embodiments of the invention, the bottom of the
dispenser "transitions" into an "integral" securement means. By
"transitions," I mean the state of changing from one component part
to another. For example, relating to FIG. 1, the bottom end 16 of
the dispenser 10 "transitions" via span or web 28 into bracket 26.
If these different component parts are made together in one piece,
for example, by molding plastic material, or by welding metal
material, then the different pieces are also "integral."
[0040] When the teachings of this invention are followed, a compact
and convenient moist towelette dispenser may be obtained. For
example, the interior of the dispenser will enclose wet towelettes
so that excess moisture will not be lost from them. Also, the
securement means will enable one-hand operation of the device.
[0041] Although this invention has been described above with
reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is to
be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed
particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *