U.S. patent application number 11/081966 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for pre-moistened towelette dispenser.
Invention is credited to Scott Castor, Kurtis Slaughterbeck.
Application Number | 20060208130 11/081966 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37009320 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060208130 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Castor; Scott ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Pre-moistened towelette dispenser
Abstract
The pre-moistened towelette dispenser of the present invention
includes a substantially sealed housing to retain moisture within
the housing. A roll of pre-moistened, perforated towelettes wound
about a cylindrical core is supported within the housing on an axle
to allow rotation of the roll of towelettes about the axle to
dispense towelettes from the roll. A nipple located in the housing
provides a restricted point opening that allows towelettes to exit
the housing. The nipple is preferably located in the bottom of the
housing to dispense towelettes from the bottom of the housing. An
adjustable roll tension system is also provided within the housing.
The roll tension system preferably includes a roller that is in
contact with and biased against an end cap attached to the
cylindrical core at one end of the roll of towelettes. The roll
tension system provides resistance to the rotation of the roll of
towelettes. The roll tension system is also preferably adjustable
so that the dispenser may be adjusted and adapted to accommodate
perforated towelettes with different perforation characteristics
and tear resistances.
Inventors: |
Castor; Scott; (Stockwell,
IN) ; Slaughterbeck; Kurtis; (Stockwell, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Anthony Dowell;Dowell Baker, P.C.
1001 Main Street
Lafayette
IN
47901
US
|
Family ID: |
37009320 |
Appl. No.: |
11/081966 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/598.3 ;
242/423; 242/598.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/3863 20130101;
A47K 10/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/598.3 ;
242/598.6; 242/423 |
International
Class: |
B65H 16/06 20060101
B65H016/06; A47K 10/38 20060101 A47K010/38 |
Claims
1. A pre-moistened towelette dispenser comprising: a housing, the
housing being substantially sealed to retain moisture within the
housing; a roll of pre-moistened, perforated towelettes wound about
a cylindrical core having an axle, the axle being supported within
the housing to allow the rotation of the cylindrical core and the
roll of towelettes about the axle to dispense towelettes from the
roll; a nipple located in the housing, the nipple providing a
restricted point opening that allows the towelettes to exit the
housing.
2. The pre-moistened towelette dispenser of claim 1 wherein the
nipple is located in the bottom of the housing so that towelettes
are dispensed from beneath the housing.
3. The pre-moistened towelette dispenser of claim 1 further
comprising: an end cap attached to the cylindrical core at one end
of the roll of towelettes, the end cap also being capable of
rotation about the axle; a roll tension system in contact with and
biased against the end cap to provide resistance to the rotation of
the end cap.
4. The pre-moistened towelette dispenser of claim 3 wherein the
roll tension system includes a roller that is in contact with and
biased against the end cap to provide resistance to the rotation of
the end cap.
5. The pre-moistened towelette dispenser of claim 3 wherein the
roll tension system may be adjusted to provide varying degrees of
resistance to the rotation of the end cap.
6. A pre-moistened towelette dispenser comprising: a housing, the
housing being substantially sealed to retain moisture within the
housing; a roll of pre-moistened, perforated towelettes wound about
a cylindrical core having an axle, the axle being supported within
the housing to allow the rotation of the cylindrical core and the
roll of towelettes about the axle to dispense towelettes from the
roll; an end cap attached to the cylindrical core at one end of the
roll of towelettes, the end cap also being capable of rotation
about the axle; a roll tension system in contact with and biased
against the end cap to provide resistance to the rotation of the
end cap thereby providing resistance to the rotation of the roll of
towelettes.
7. The pre-moistened towelette dispenser of claim 6 further
comprising: a nipple located in the housing, the nipple providing a
restricted point opening that allows the towelettes to exit the
housing.
8. The pre-moistened towelette dispenser of claim 6 wherein the
roll tension system includes a roller that is in contact with and
biased against the end cap to provide resistance to the rotation of
the end cap.
9. The pre-moistened towelette dispenser of claim 6 wherein the
roll tension system may be adjusted to provide varying degrees of
resistance to the rotation of the roll of towelette.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
hygienic paper product dispensers and more particularly to a
dispenser for housing and dispensing pre-moistened, wet
towelettes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Commercial, high volume dry paper dispensers are well known.
These ubiquitous dispensers are commonly found in public restrooms
and typically dispense dry paper from a roll for the purpose of
drying one's hands after they have been washed. Pre-moistened, wet
towelettes, however, are often desirable for many applications.
[0003] For example, pre-moistened towelettes are preferable for
cleaning infants when a diaper is changed. Pre-moistened towelettes
are also useful for cleaning hard surfaces because a cleaning
solution may be saturated in the towelette itself rather than
separately stored in a bottle or other dispenser.
[0004] Pre-moistened towelettes may also be provided for the
washing of hands and cleaning of surfaces in locations where water
and a wash basin are not available. Towelettes may be pre-moistened
with a disinfectant, germicidal solution to specifically kill germs
and bacteria. Such pre-moistened towelettes provide a significant
cleaning and public health advantage over dry paper towelettes
moistened with tap water. By providing pre-moistened, disinfectant
towelettes in public areas, improved sanitary conditions and better
public hygiene may be achieved.
[0005] For example, investigations have revealed disturbing
evidence that supermarket shopping carts are typically contaminated
with harmful bacteria. In a typical day, a shopping cart may be
exposed to drippings from dairy products and meat as well as human
bodily fluids including saliva, mucus, blood and even feces.
Because small children often ride in these carts and will come in
contact with any previous contamination, this contamination is a
significant public health concern. However, because shopping carts
are typically stored and picked up in areas where there is no
running water or cleaning solutions, shoppers rarely have the
opportunity to clean a shopping cart before use.
[0006] If a dispenser of pre-moistened towelettes could be
conveniently provided where shopping carts are stored and picked
up, and other locations such as public parks, playgrounds, public
transportation and outdoor facilities, public health and hygiene
could be improved.
[0007] There are many obstacles, however, to the use of
pre-moistened towelette dispensers. First, the pre-moistened
towelettes must be stored and maintained in a moist condition over
a long period of time, often several weeks or months. To retain
moisture, the housing of the dispenser must preferably be sealed to
retain moisture. The housing must also of course provide an opening
to allow for the moist towelettes to exit the dispenser. This
opening must allow for the moist towelettes to be dispensed without
allowing the moisture in the towelettes inside the housing to
appreciably evaporate through the opening.
[0008] In addition, the housing preferably allows for a moist
towelette to be grasped and pulled from the housing. Housings that
dispense towels with a hand crank or pull lever are undesirable
because a person seeking a towelette must touch the crank or lever.
Even though a person may be about to wash his or her hands with the
moist towelette, the person often does not want to touch the
dispenser itself because of unknown contamination on the dispenser.
Thus, a dispenser that allows a moist towelette to be directly
grasped and pulled from the housing is desirable.
[0009] To avoid waste, a moist towelette dispenser will preferably
dispense only one towelette at a time. Although a cutting edge or
blade may be provided for cutting or tearing a towelette at an
appropriate point after it is pulled from the dispenser, such an
arrangement allows each user to determine the length of towelette
desired. Many individuals, however, will carelessly take a greater
length of towelette than is actually needed, leading to waste of
the product. To deter such waste, a roll of perforated towelettes
may be provided so that individuals are prompted to take only one
towelette. Although an individual may take multiple towelettes,
such an action must be intended and purposeful rather than the
result of careless use of the dispenser. Thus, a roll of perforated
towelettes is preferably provided to deter wasteful and careless
use of excessive product.
[0010] Additional design challenges are presented, however, when
using perforated towelettes. When a towelette is pulled from the
dispenser and ripped off at the perforation, the next towelette
must be left to extend from the dispenser a sufficient distance so
that it may be subsequently pulled and ripped off by the next
person that needs a towelette. This requirement necessitates that
the dispenser allow for a towelette to be easily pulled from the
dispenser but, at the same time, generate sufficient resistance at
the precise moment that the towel should be ripped off so that the
next towelette is left extending from the dispenser.
[0011] Many pre-moistened towelette dispenser designs have been
proposed that attempt to achieve the goals and address the
challenges noted above. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,836 issued to
Gottselig, for example, a "substantially" sealed housing is
provided to limit evaporation of the moisture from the inside of
the housing. This design, however, provides a slotted opening for
dispensing the moist towelettes from the housing that must be taped
closed during storage to prevent evaporation and equipped with a
sealing blade to prevent evaporation during use.
[0012] Complex machines for dispensing pre-moistened towelettes
have been developed including those machines disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,213,424 issued to Helfer-Grand and U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,111
issued to Zhang. These machines, although apparently suitable for
their advanced purposes, are overly complex and include motors,
controls, sensors and other electronic components. Thus, these
machines do not provide a simple and economical solution to the
need for the widespread public availability of wet towelette
dispensers and have not found widespread acceptance in public
areas. Many other complex wet towelette dispensers, including those
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,659,391, 6,702,225, 6,682,013,
6,705,565, 6,702,227, 6,659,391 to name a few, have also been
proposed that utilize many advanced parts and components to achieve
their intended function. These dispensers, however, also fail to
provide a dispenser as simple to operate and economical to
manufacture as the invention disclosed herein.
[0013] Many prior art dispensers are also designed to dispense a
single type of paper product with predetermined physical properties
and set dimensions. These dispensers are not easily adaptable for
dispensing different paper products, such as towelettes of a
different width or with different perforation characteristics and
tear resistance. A dispenser is preferably adaptable so that it can
be easily modified and used to dispense as many different
pre-moistened paper products as possible.
[0014] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a pre-moistened, wet wipe dispenser that is simple to
operate and economical to manufacture.
[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
wet wipe dispenser that retains moistures inside the housing of the
dispenser so that the pre-moistened towelettes may be stored and
used for an extended period of time.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
wet wipe dispenser that allows moist towelettes to be grasped and
pulled from the dispenser without the need to touch a handle or
crack when using the dispenser.
[0017] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a wet wipe dispenser that dispenses a predetermined length of
towelette from a perforated roll to deter waste and careless use of
excessive product.
[0018] Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a
wet wipe dispenser that may be easily used with different brands of
towelettes and towelettes of different widths and with different
perforation characteristics and tear resistance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention provides an inexpensive wet wipe
dispenser that is simple to load and use. The hinged housing opens
to provide easy access for inserting or removing a roll of
pre-moistened, perforated towelettes. The pre-moistened towelettes
are wound about a plastic core with an axle inserted through the
core. The ends of the wound pre-moistened towelettes are covered by
large end caps that prevent moisture from evaporating from the
edges of the wound towelettes. The axle is inserted into axle
supports attached to either side of the housing. The axle supports
allow the axle, core and roll of towelettes to easily roll within
the housing so that towelettes may be removed from the roll.
[0020] After inserting the axle in the axle supports, the leading
edge of the towelettes is pushed through a rubber nipple at the
bottom of the housing so that the first towelette extends from the
bottom of the housing. The housing may then be closed and locked
with a locking mechanism at the top of the housing. The housing
includes rubber and foam seals that seal moisture within the
housing when the housing is closed. The rubber nipple at the bottom
of the housing allows the towelettes to exit the housing but also
effectively seals the housing to limit the moisture that may
evaporate from the housing.
[0021] With the first towelette extending from the bottom of the
housing, a single perforated towelette to be pulled from beneath
dispenser and ripped from the roll. Inside the housing, a unique
roll tension system generates resistance against one of the end
caps, which in turns provides the resistance that allows the
perforated towelettes to be torn from the roll. This resistance may
be modified by the owner of the dispenser to accommodate towelettes
with different perforation characteristics and tear resistance.
[0022] These and other advantages will become apparent as this
specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wet towelette dispenser
of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front view of the wet towelette dispenser of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wet towelette dispenser
of the present invention with the front of the housing opened to
allow for the insertion or removal of a roll of pre-moistened
towelettes.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a front view of the wet towelette dispenser of the
present invention with the front of the housing opened to allow for
the insertion or removal of a roll of pre-moistened towelettes.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an axle support used in the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a front view of the roll tension system of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The pre-moistened towelette dispenser of the present
invention is designed for use with towelettes pre-moistened with
any type of liquid or solution including antibacterial agents,
anti-fungal agents, soaps, cleaning solutions, disinfectants,
chemicals and perfumes. The towelettes may be purchased in a
pre-moistened condition by the owner of the dispenser or the owner
may saturate dry towelettes, either before or after they are wound
onto a roll. The dispenser of the present invention is also not
directed to a particular type of towelette and may be used with any
type or grade of towelette that may be saturated with a liquid or
solution.
[0030] The pre-moistened towelette dispenser 10 of the present
invention is depicted in FIG. 1. The dispenser 10 includes a main
housing 12 comprised of a top 16, a left side 18, a right side 20,
a back 22 and a bottom 23. The back 22 of the main housing 10 is
preferable provided with holes or other conventional hardware so
that the dispenser 10 may be mounted on a vertical wall or
surface.
[0031] The dispenser 10 also includes a front housing 14 comprised
of a curved front 24, a left side 26 and a right side 28. As shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main housing 12 is connected to the front
housing 14 by a hinge 30. The hinge 30 allows the front housing 14
to be opened relative to the main housing 12.
[0032] The main housing 12 and the front housing 14 are preferably
constructed of metal, but may be constructed of any material
including plastic or wood. However, if any permeable or
semi-permeable material is used, the inside of the housings should
be treated and/or sealed to prevent the moisture inside the housing
from soaking into the housing.
[0033] As can best be seen in FIG. 3, the main housing 12 includes
a rubber seal 32 at the front edge of the top 16 of the housing.
The front housing 14 includes a rubber seal 34 at the edge of the
curved front 24. In the closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, the
rubber seal 34 abuts against the rubber seal 32 to seal this
portion of the dispenser 10. The curved front 24 also includes a
foam seal 36 on the inside of the curved front at the edge where
the curved front meets the front right side 28. An identical foam
seal (not shown) is also provided on the inside of the curved front
at the edge where the curved front meets the front left side 26. In
the closed position, these seals abut against the front curved
edges 38 of the main housing 12 to further seal the dispenser 10.
Thus, in the closed position, the dispenser 10 is effectively
sealed so as to retain moisture within the dispenser.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the main housing 12 is provided with a
locking mechanism that includes a key receptacle 40, rotatable hook
42 and post 44. With the dispenser 10 in a closed position, a key
(not shown) may be inserted in the key receptacle 40 to rotate the
hook 42 to grasp the post 44. Thus, after a pre-moistened roll of
towelettes is inserted in the dispenser, the dispenser may be
locked closed to prevent individuals from accessing the dispenser
10.
[0035] A roll of pre-moistened towelettes 46 may be inserted into
the dispenser as shown in FIG. 4. The towelettes are wound about a
core (not shown). The core is preferably constructed of plastic or
other impermeable material so that the moisture from the towelettes
does not soak into the core. An axle 48 is inserted through and
attached to the core. End caps 50 and 51 are placed on either side
of the roll. The end caps 50 and 51 are preferably constructed of
acrylic plastic but any impermeable material may be used.
[0036] The left end cap 50 is preferable attached to the core in
some fashion, such as by inserting a screw or screws through the
end cap 50 into the core. The right end cap 51 may be secured in
place through similar means, or may be held in place by a cotter
pin inserted through the axle 48. If a cotter pin is used to hold
the end cap 51 in place, the pin may be easily removed so that the
end cap can be removed from the end of the core for easy changing
and moist towelettes on the core.
[0037] The towelette, core, axle and end caps assembly 52 may be
easily inserted into and removed from the dispenser through the use
of axle supports 54 and 55. The axle supports 54 and 55 are
attached to the interior of the left side 18 and right side 20 of
the main housing 12. As shown in FIG. 5, the axle supports 54 and
55 include a slot 56 that allows the axle 48 to slide into the
supports. In this position, the towelette, core, axle and end caps
assembly 52 is held securely in place within the dispenser 10 but
is allowed to rotate freely on the axle 48.
[0038] With the towelette, core, axle and end caps assembly 52 in
place in the dispenser 10, the leading towelette 60 may be pushed
through a nipple 58 located in the bottom 23 of the main housing
12. The nipple 58 includes a hole or slot that allows a folded
towelette to slide though the nipple. As used herein, the term
"nipple" means any restricted point opening that allows moist
towelettes to pass through the opening but that closes around the
towelette as it passes through the opening. The nipple is
preferably a gasket or seal with a pinpoint hole that easily opens
and expands due to the flexibility of the material of which the
gasket or seal is constructed. Alternatively, the nipple may be
created by cutting intersecting slits in a flat, flexible material
so that the flexible material folds downward to provide a
restricted point opening through which towelettes may pass.
[0039] A poker may be provided and retained within the dispenser
for the purpose of pushing the leading towelette 60 though the
nipple 58. After the leading towelette is pushed through the nipple
58, the towelette extends from the bottom of the housing, as shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this position, the leading towelette 60 may be
grasped and pulled from the dispenser 10.
[0040] To provide the proper resistance for the pulling of a
towelette from the dispenser 10, a roll tension system 62 is
provided within the dispenser. As shown in FIG. 4, the roll tension
system 62 is secured to the bottom 23 of the main housing 12 and
abuts against the left end cap 51.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, the roll tension system 62 includes a
horizontal plate 64, a hinge 65, a vertical arm 66, a support 68, a
roller 70, a screw 72, a cap 74 and a lock nut 76. The horizontal
plate 64 is attached to the bottom 23 of the main housing 12. The
vertical arm 66 is attached to the horizontal plate 64 by the hinge
65 and may rotate at the hinge relative to the horizontal plate.
The roller 70 is attached to the vertical arm 66 by the support 68.
A screw 72 is inserted through the vertical arm 66 so that rotation
of the screw causes horizontal movement of the screw. A cap 74 is
attached to the screw 72 to enable easy rotation of the screw by
hand.
[0042] As can best be seen in FIG. 4, the cap 74 may be rotated
clockwise by hand to direct the screw 72 against the left side 18
of the main housing 12. When the screw 72 is rotated in this
fashion, the vertical arm is pushed away from the left side 18 of
the main housing 12 and the roller 70 is biased against the left
end cap 50. Thus, resistance to the rotation of the towelette,
core, axle and end caps assembly 52 may be provided by the roll
tension system 62.
[0043] The orientation of the roller 70 may be adjusted at the nut
78. The roller 70 is preferably adjusted so that it points directly
at the axle 48. In this position, the roller provides the smoothest
resistance to the rolling of the towelette, core, axle and end caps
assembly 52.
[0044] As noted above, the resistance of the pre-moistened
towelette dispenser may be freely adjusted by the owner of the
dispenser through the use of the roll tension system. This
variability allows an owner to use different grades and brands of
towelettes in a single dispenser. Different grades and brands of
towelettes may have different perforation characteristics and
different types of towels may be more or less resistant to tearing
when dispensed. Although a dispenser may be designed that
accommodates a particular type and grade of towelette, this would
limit the use and flexibility of the dispenser. Instead, by
providing variable and user-determined resistance, the dispenser of
the present invention will find greater acceptance with a wider
range of products.
[0045] Other alterations, variations, and combinations are possible
that fall within the scope of the present invention. Although the
preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described,
those skilled in the art will recognize other modifications that
may be made that would nonetheless fall within the scope of the
present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be
limited to the apparatus and method described. Instead, the scope
of the present invention should be consistent with the invention
claimed below.
* * * * *