U.S. patent application number 16/506213 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-31 for towel dispensing system including a bracket and water-resistant container with a handle.
The applicant listed for this patent is SELLARS ABSORBENT MATERIALS, INC. Invention is credited to Daniel Alan Klein, Ryan Sellars, Thomas T. Ziegert.
Application Number | 20190328186 16/506213 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68291779 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-31 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20190328186 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sellars; Ryan ; et
al. |
October 31, 2019 |
TOWEL DISPENSING SYSTEM INCLUDING A BRACKET AND WATER-RESISTANT
CONTAINER WITH A HANDLE
Abstract
Systems and methods for dispensing towels. In one embodiment,
the system includes a container configured to receive towels, and a
bracket configured to mount to a support surface. The container
includes a handle configured to be grasped by a user. The bracket
engages the handle of the container to suspend the container from
the support surface.
Inventors: |
Sellars; Ryan; (Mukwonago,
WI) ; Klein; Daniel Alan; (Madison, WI) ;
Ziegert; Thomas T.; (Franklin, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SELLARS ABSORBENT MATERIALS, INC |
Milwaukee |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68291779 |
Appl. No.: |
16/506213 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15946303 |
Apr 5, 2018 |
10342396 |
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16506213 |
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14754157 |
Jun 29, 2015 |
9968228 |
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15946303 |
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62020267 |
Jul 2, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/3233 20130101;
A47K 10/3818 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38 |
Claims
1. A system for dispensing towels, the system comprising: a
container configured to receive the towels, the container including
a handle configured to be grasped by a user; and a bracket
configured to mount to a support surface, the bracket engaging the
handle of the container to suspend the container from the support
surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/946,303, filed Apr. 5, 2018, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/754,157, filed Jun. 29, 2015, which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/020,267, filed Jul. 2, 2014,
the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to containers for storing and
dispensing towels, for example absorbent, disposable towels.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one embodiment, the invention provides a system for
dispensing towels. The system includes a container configured to
receive a roll of towels. The system also includes a bracket
configured to mount to a support surface. The bracket engages the
container to alternately suspend the container from the support
surface in a first orientation and in a second orientation that is
different than the first orientation.
[0004] In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for
dispensing towels. The system includes a container having a body
configured to receive a roll of towels. The body includes an open
end and a closed end. The container also has a handle projecting
outwardly from the container. The handle is configured to be
grasped by a user. The container further includes a lid connected
to the open end of the body. The lid has an opening through which
the roll of towels is dispensed. The system also includes a bracket
configured to mount to a support surface. The bracket engages the
container to suspend from the container from the support surface in
an orientation in which the opening of the lid generally faces
toward the ground.
[0005] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method
of dispensing towels from a container. The method includes mounting
a bracket to a support surface, engaging the container with the
bracket so that the bracket suspends the container from the support
surface in a first orientation, and dispensing the towels from the
container while the container is suspended from the support surface
by the bracket in the first orientation. The method also includes
engaging the container with the bracket so that the bracket
suspends the container from the support surface in a second
orientation that is different than the first orientation, and
dispensing the towels from the container while the container is
suspended from the support surface by the bracket in the second
orientation.
[0006] In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for
dispensing towels. The system includes a container configured to
receive the towels. The container includes a handle configured to
be grasped by a user. The system also includes a bracket configured
to mount to a support surface. The bracket engages the handle of
the container to suspend the container from the support
surface.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a system
for dispensing towels. The system includes a container having a
body configured to receive the towels. The body including an open
end and a closed end. The container also has a handle projecting
outwardly from the container. The handle is configured to be
grasped by a user. The container further has a lid connected to the
open end of the body. The lid has an opening through which the
towels are dispensed. The system also includes a bracket configured
to mount to a support surface. The bracket engages the handle of
the container to suspend from the container from the support
surface.
[0008] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing system
including a container and a bracket.
[0010] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the dispensing
system.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the container of the
dispensing system.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the container.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the container.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of a handle of the
container.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a top view of a lid of the container.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bracket of the
dispensing system.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a front view of the bracket.
[0018] FIG. 10 is an end view of the bracket.
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates the dispensing system in a first
orientation.
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates the dispensing system in a second
orientation.
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates the dispensing system in a third
orientation.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the dispensing system with
the bracket secured to the container by a retainer.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a dispensing system
including another embodiment of a container.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a side view of the dispensing system of FIG.
15.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a dispensing system 20 for
dispensing towels 24 and similar items such as absorbent,
disposable towels, including towels manufactured from a non-woven
web of fibers. The towels 24 may be dry towels or wet towels.
Additionally or alternatively, the towels 24 may be reusable
towels. The illustrated dispensing system 20 includes a container
28 and a bracket 32. The container 28 is configured to receive and
store a roll of disposable towels 24 in a manner similar to the
dispenser disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,992,745, the entire contents
of which are incorporated by reference herein. The bracket 32
engages the container 28 to suspend the container 32, and thereby
the disposable towels 24, from a support surface (e.g., a
wall).
[0028] FIGS. 3-6 illustrate the container 28 of the dispensing
system 20 in more detail. The illustrated container 28, or bucket,
includes a generally cylindrical body 36 and a handle 40. In the
illustrated embodiment, the body 36 and the handle 40 are
integrally formed by, for example, blow molding such that the
container 28 is a unitary structure. In other embodiments, the
container 28 may be formed by other methods and/or of other
materials. In still other embodiments, the body 36 and the handle
40 may be separate pieces that are permanently or releasably
coupled together. In some embodiments, the container 28 may have a
height H of about 10 inches and a diameter D of about 9 inches.
Such dimensions are suitable for receiving and storing an
appropriate supply of the disposable towels 24. In other
embodiments, the container 28 may be relatively larger or smaller,
depending on the type and amount of disposable towels to be
stored.
[0029] The cylindrical body 36 includes an open end 44 (FIG. 3) and
a closed end 48 (FIG. 4). The closed end 48 is formed by a bottom
52 of the body 36. The body 36 also includes an inner surface 56,
an outer surface 60, and a central longitudinal axis 64 extending
through the open and closed ends 44, 48 of the body 36. The inner
surface 56 defines a chamber 68 configured (e.g., shaped and sized)
to receive the roll of disposable towels 24 (FIG. 1). The outer
surface 60 is generally smooth and continuous, but also includes
two raised rings or strips of textured surfaces 72 and 76. The
strips 72 and 76 are raised outwardly from the remainder of the
body 36. The first strip 72 is formed adjacent the open end 44 of
the body 36. The second strip 76 is formed adjacent the closed end
48 of the body. The strips 72 and 76 are also texturized to
facilitate handling the container 28 and to give the container 28 a
more rugged appearance.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the handle 40 projects outwardly from
the cylindrical body 36. The handle 40 is configured to be grasped
by a user to facilitate lifting and carrying the container 28. In
particular, the handle 40 is designed to be fit in and be grasped
by a human hand. The illustrated handle 40 includes a grip 80 and
two bosses 84. The grip 80 is the portion of the handle 40 that is
actually grasped by the user while carrying the container 28. In
the illustrated embodiment, the grip 80 includes a contoured
surface 88 having ridges that generally match the fingers of the
user. The grip 80 extends in a direction generally parallel to the
central longitudinal axis 64 of the body 36. The bosses 84 extend
between the grip 80 and the body 36 to connect the grip 80 to the
body 36. The bosses 84 space the grip 80 apart from the body 36 so
that an opening 92 is defined between the grip 80 and the outer
surface 60 of the body 36. The opening 92 allows the user to extend
a portion of his or her hand through the opening 92 and around the
grip 80.
[0031] The illustrated handle 40 also defines slots 96. As shown in
FIG. 6, the slots 96 are formed in opposing sides of the handle 40
and extend in a direction that is generally parallel to the central
longitudinal axis 64 of the body 36. In the illustrated embodiment,
the slots 96 are formed in the bosses 84 of the handle 40, but may
alternatively be formed in the grip 80. Due to the configuration of
the handle 40, each slot 96 is divided into two discrete slot
sections 96A and 96B by the opening 92. The corresponding slot
sections 96A and 96B are generally aligned (i.e., the corresponding
slot sections 96A and 96B extend along a straight line or axis).
The slots 96 are configured to receive a portion of the bracket 32,
as further discussed below, to connect the container 28 to the
bracket 32.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, the container 28 also includes a lid
100. The lid 100 is configured to fit on the open end 44 of the
cylindrical body 36 to at least partially enclose the chamber 68.
The lid 100 defines an opening 104 through which the disposable
towels 24 (FIG. 1) can be dispensed. In the illustrated embodiment,
the lid 100 also includes a plurality of teeth 108 and a cover 112.
The teeth 108 extend into the opening 104 and selectively engage
the towels 24 as the towels 24 are being dispensed. In particular,
the roll of disposable towels 24 stored within the container 28 is
made up of a plurality of sheets connected together by
perforations. The teeth 108 releasably snag portions of the towels
24 so that individual sheets separate from the remainder of the
roll along the perforations as the towels 24 are pulled out of the
container 28 through the opening 104. The illustrated teeth 108 are
generally triangular, cantilevered projections that decrease in
width toward the center of the opening 104. In the illustrated
embodiment, the lid 100 includes three teeth 108. In other
embodiments, the lid 100 may include fewer or more teeth 108.
[0033] The cover 112 is pivotally attached to the lid 100 adjacent
the opening 104. The cover 112 is movable between an open position
(FIG. 7), in which the opening 104 is uncovered so the towels 24
can be accessed and dispensed from the chamber 68, and a closed
position, in which the opening 104 is closed to inhibit access to
the towels 24 inside the chamber 68. The cover 112 may be closed
during, for example, transit to help inhibit dirt and other debris
from entering the container 28. Additionally or alternatively, if
the disposable towels 24 are treated with a liquid, the cover 112
may be closed to help keep the towels 24 from drying out.
[0034] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the bracket 32 of the dispensing
system 20 in more detail. The illustrated bracket 32 includes a
baseplate 116, a pair of opposing sidewalls 120, and two rails 124.
The baseplate 116 is a generally planar member. The baseplate 116
is configured to mount to a support surface, such as a wall. In the
illustrated embodiment, the baseplate 116 includes apertures 128.
The apertures 128 receive fasteners (e.g., nails, screws, etc.) to
secure the bracket 32 to the support surface. In other embodiments,
the bracket 32 may be secured to the support surface using other
suitable fastening means (e.g., adhesives, magnets, hooks, clips,
posts, etc.).
[0035] The sidewalls 120 are spaced apart from each other and
extend perpendicularly from the baseplate 116. The rails 124 are
formed on free ends of the sidewalls 120 (i.e., the ends of the
sidewalls 120 opposite from the baseplate 116) and extend toward
each other. The rails 124 are spaced apart from each other such
that a gap 132 exists between the rails 124. Together, the
baseplate 116, the sidewalls 120, and the rails 124 define a
channel 136 that is configured (e.g., shaped and sized) to receive
a portion of the container 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the
channel 136 receives the grip 80 of the handle 40. In other
embodiments, the channel 136 may receive other portions of the
handle 40 and/or of the container 28.
[0036] The illustrated channel 136 includes an open end 140 and a
closed end 144. The closed end 144 is formed by a bottom wall 148
of the bracket 32 that extends between the two sidewalls 120. To
connect the container 28 to the bracket 32, the handle 40 is slid
into the channel 136 through the open end 140. As the handle 40
slides into the channel 136, the slots 96 in the handle 40 receive
the rails 124 of the bracket 32. The slots 96 and the rails 124
help properly guide the handle 40 into the chamber 68. In addition,
the rails 124 inhibit the container 28 from separating from the
bracket 32 (e.g., moving away from the baseplate 116 in a direction
perpendicular to a plane defined by the baseplate 116). The handle
40 is fully inserted into the channel 136 when the handle 40
contacts the bottom wall 148 of the bracket 32. In other
embodiments, the slots 96 may be formed in the bracket 32, and the
rails 124 may be part of the handle 40.
[0037] When the container 28 is connected to the bracket 32, the
bracket 32 is used to hold and support the container 28. For
example, the bracket 32 can be mounted to a support surface (e.g.,
a wall) to suspend the container 28 from the support surface. A
user can then remove the disposable towels 24 (FIG. 1) through the
opening 104 in the lid 100 without having to hold onto the
container 28 itself. Such an arrangement facilitates one-handed
retrieval of the towels 24 from the container 28. In particular,
the teeth 108 on the lid 100 allow the user to abruptly yank or
pull on the roll of disposable towels 24 with one hand to separate
a single sheet from the roll. The bracket 32 secures the container
28 in place so that the container 28 is not pulled off of the
support surface when the user pulls on the towels 24.
[0038] FIGS. 11-13 illustrate various orientations of the
dispensing system 20 relative to a support surface S (e.g., a wall)
and the ground G (e.g., a floor). FIG. 11 illustrates the system 20
in an upright orientation. In this orientation, the bottom 52 of
the container 28 faces the ground G, and the lid 100 of the
container 28 faces away from the ground G. In addition, the central
longitudinal axis 64 of the container 28 is generally perpendicular
to the ground G. With such an arrangement, the opening 104 in the
lid 100 generally faces away from the ground G so that the system
20 dispenses the disposable towels 24 upward (relative to
gravity).
[0039] FIG. 12 illustrates the system 20 in an upside-down
orientation. In this orientation, the lid 100 of the container 28
faces the ground G, and the bottom 52 of the container 28 faces
away from the ground G. In addition, the central longitudinal axis
64 of the container 28 is generally perpendicular to the ground G.
With such an arrangement, the opening 104 in the lid 100 generally
faces toward the ground so that the system 20 dispenses the
disposable towels 24 downward (relative to gravity). Compared to
the upright orientation (FIG. 11), the upside-down orientation can
be achieved by simply rotating the container 28 one-hundred-eighty
degrees relative to the bracket 32 without having to change the
orientation of the bracket 32 on the support surface S.
[0040] FIG. 13 illustrates the system 20 in an angled orientation.
In this orientation, the central longitudinal axis 64 of the
container 28 is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the ground
G. The lid 10, however, generally faces the ground G so that the
system 20 dispenses the disposable towels 24 generally downward. It
should be readily understood that the bracket 32 can be mounted to
the support surface S at a variety of angles to achieve any desired
orientation relative to the ground G, as long as the closed end 144
of the bracket 32 is not higher than the open end 140 of the
bracket 32. For example, in further embodiments, the bracket 32 can
be mounted horizontally relative to the ground G so that the
longitudinal axis 64 of the container 28 is parallel to the ground
G.
[0041] In operation, the bracket 32 is first mounted to the support
surface S in the desired orientation. As discussed above, the
bracket 32 may be mounted to the support surface S using fasteners
or the like. Once the bracket 32 is secured to the support surface
S, the handle 40 of the container 28 is slid into the channel 136
of the bracket 32. As the handle 40 slides into the bracket 32, the
rails 124 of the bracket 32 are received in the slots 96 of the
handle 40. When the handle 40 is fully slid into the channel 136,
the container 28 is suspended from the support surface S by the
bracket 32. The disposable towels 24 can then be dispensed from the
container 28 through the opening 104 in the lid 100 by pulling the
towels 24 out of and away from the container 28.
[0042] FIG. 14 illustrates the dispensing system 20 with the
bracket 32 secured to the container 28 by a retainer 152. The
retainer 152 inhibits removal of the bracket 32 from the container
28. This arrangement is suitable at a retail or other point-of-sale
location to keep the bracket 32 and the container 28 together. The
illustrated retainer 152 wraps around the handle 40 of the
container 28 and the bracket 32. In particular, the retainer 152
extends through the opening 92 formed between the handle 40 and the
outer surface 60 of the container 28. The retainer 152 is also
received in notches 156 formed along opposing outer edges of the
baseplate 116 of the bracket 32. The notches 156 inhibit the
retainer 152 from sliding along (e.g., up and down) the bracket 32.
After the system 20 is purchased, the retainer 152 may be removed
(e.g., cut off) by a user so the bracket 32 can be mounted to a
wall and can removably receive the container 28. In the illustrated
embodiment, the retainer 152 is a cable tie or zip tie. In other
embodiments, the retainer 152 may be any other suitable elongate,
flexible member (e.g., strap, cord, cable, string or twine, etc.)
that can wrap around and secure the bracket 32 to the container
28.
[0043] During manufacture, the retainer 152 is coupled to the
dispensing system 20 by a machine. The handle 40 of the container
28 and the bracket 32 are aligned within an opening between two
jaws of the machine. The jaws are then closed and clamped around
the bracket 32. The retainer 152 is delivered through a channel
inside the jaws, feeding through one side and into the other side.
The retainer 152 is then tightened to a desired tension by either
the machine or manually. Excess length is cut off of the retainer
152, leaving no sharp edges.
[0044] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate another dispensing system 220 for
dispensing towels and similar items. The illustrated dispensing
system 220 includes a container 228 and the bracket 32. The
container 228 is similar to the container 28 described above.
Differences between the containers 28, 228 are identified below.
The bracket 32 shown in FIGS. 15-17 is the same as the bracket 32
described above.
[0045] The illustrated container 228, or bucket, includes a
generally cylindrical body 236 and a handle 240. The container 228
includes an open end 244 that is covered by a lid 300 and a closed
end 248 opposite the open end 244. The handle 240 projects
outwardly from the cylindrical body 236 and is configured to be
grasped by a user. The handle 240 includes a grip 280 and two
bosses 284. Similar to the handle 40 described above, the
illustrated handle 240 defines slots 296 (only one of which is
shown in FIG. 17). The slots 296 are formed in opposing sides of
the handle 240 and extend in a direction that is generally parallel
to a central longitudinal axis 264 of the body 236. In the
illustrated embodiment, the slots 296 are formed in the bosses 284
of the handle 240 such that each slot 296 is split between the
bosses 284, but may alternatively be formed in the grip 280. The
slots 296 are configured to receive the rails 124 (FIGS. 8-10) of
the bracket 32 to support the container 228 on the bracket 32.
[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, each slot 296 includes a
first end 296A and a second end 296B. The first end 296A, or upper
end, is adjacent the open end 244 of the container 228. The second
end 296B, or lower end, is adjacent the closed end 248 of the
container 228. The first end 296A of each slot 296 is closed such
that the rails 124 of the bracket 32 can only be inserted into the
slots 296 in one direction--through the second ends 296B of the
slots 296, which are open. This arrangement only allows the
container 228 to be suspended from the bracket 32 in one
orientation (e.g., the upright orientation where the lid 300 faces
away from the ground). Such an arrangement is particularly useful
when the container is 228 is used to store and dispense wet towels
to prohibit the container 228 from being suspended in an
upside-down orientation where liquid may unintentionally leak from
the container 228 and dry out the towels. In the illustrated
embodiment, the first ends 296A of the slots 296 are closed by a
molded projection 360 in the upper boss 284. In other embodiments,
the first ends 296A may be closed by other suitable physical stops
coupled to or integrally formed on the upper boss 284 of the handle
240.
[0047] Various features and advantages of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *