Cleaning Tissue Dispenser

Abstract

A device for dispensing lengths of wetted cleaning tissues from a container which may be either portable or built in. This invention provides a more convenient alternative to the so-called "bidet" of Europe and may be installed in bathrooms which could not accommodate a "bidet" without extensive reconstruction of the bathroom.

Description

My invention relates to a novel device for satisfying the demands of fastidious people who desire a convenient way to cleanse the private parts of the body affected by the elimination of body wastes.

More particularly, my invention relates to a device for dispensing wetted cleaning tissues.

Matters of health and personal hygiene have always been of paramount concern to fastidious people. This concern has spurred advances in the art of plumbing and toilet design over the years. As the art has progressed from outdoor privy to the conveniences of the modern indoor bathroom, particular people have set and demanded increasingly higher standards of hygiene and creature comfort. The so-called "bidet" has long been a standard fixture in the bathrooms of well to do, particular people, especially in European countries. The "bidet" assists in the cleansing of the private parts of the human body after elimination of body wastes.

Briefly, the "bidet" functions as follows:

An elongate porcelain bowl is provided with plumbing means for delivering fresh water to the bowl and removing waste material through the sewer system. The user of the "bidet" straddles the width of the elongate bowl in such a position as to present the unclothed pelvic area to the shower area of a spray means constructed in the rear wall of the bowl of the "bidet." By a suitable means provided with the "bidet," the fresh water is turned on and the water pressure causes a spray of water to be directed against the pelvic area.

The "bidet" was a French development, originated for use by women, now used throughout Europe and South and Central America, with a slight showing of popularity in the United States starting some 10 years ago. Men recognized the "bidet" as a means of rectal hygiene almost immediately, and by the time the people of the United States became aware of the "bidet," it had evolved into a device for hygienic care of the rectal area as well as the vaginal area.

However, the European "bidet," has certain inherent defects in its function as well as in its application.

1. Installation is all but impossible unless the bathroom is under construction, or is extensively remodeled.

2. Even with a warm water connection, the first of the spray is shockingly cold.

3. Pressure regulation of the spray is difficult to maintain-- sometimes impossible to achieve.

4. A spray alone cannot wash the anus clean in most cases.

5. The mechanics of moving from the stool to the "bidet" to complete the function is an awkward maneuver involving risk of embarrassing accident.

However, my invention, which I call the American bidet, cures all of these defects. The pelvic area is washed clean in the same manner as using a wash cloth, and the drying material is discarded through the drain. The only evidence that remains is the clean, comfortable feeling.

My invention can be used in existing bathrooms without remodeling. It may also be used in sickrooms, campsites and other places where its advantages may be temporarily required.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a more convenient alternative to the "bidet."

Likewise, it is an object to provide such an alternative which can be installed and used in existing bathrooms without reconstruction of the room.

Moreover, it is an object of this invention to provide inexpensive means for conveniently cleansing the private parts of the human anatomy after elimination of body wastes.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a means for dispensing suitably saturated body cleaning tissues in such lengths as may be desired.

Still other and further objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the said invention shown in FIG. 1 taken along the lines 2-2.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the roll support member taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Briefly, in accordance with my invention, I provide an elongate, substantially closed container shaped and dimensioned to receive and enclose a roll of body cleansing tissue. The lower portion of the container forms a reservoir for the liquid used to wet the paper. I also include a means for supporting a roller which fits inside the roll of tissue, giving it support. The roll of tissue is horizontally disposed and is withdrawn from the container through a horizontal slit located above the reservoir. A lip protruding upwardly from the bottom edge of the slit serves as a tearing edge, and in cooperation with the opposing lip projecting upwardly from the recessed edge of the upper portion of the container serves as a means for squeezing the wet tissue to remove the excess liquid from the tissue.

The lower lip also supports part of the weight of the upper portion. The weight is born to the lower lip by the upper lip on the recessed edge of the slit. The upper lip converges toward and meets the lower lip thereby providing a squeegee action which removes excess liquid as the tissue is drawn out of the container between the lips. The excess liquid drains back into the reservoir as it is separated from the tissue.

The liquid may be pure water, or a solution containing cleansing or medicinal agents which may be scented if desired.

Referring now to the drawings previously described which depict a presently preferred embodiment of my invention, the closed container 1 depicted in FIG. 1 is cylindrical in shape and of a suitable dimension to receive and enclose a roll of body cleaning tissue 2. The container 1 is constructed with an upper portion 3 and a lower portion 4. The lower portion 4 forms a reservoir for a suitable tissue wetting liquid.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, my invention also includes U-shaped bearing 5 for rotatably supporting a roller 6. This U-shaped support 5 may be attached to the end walls 7 of the container 1 by any convenient method. In the presently preferred embodiment of my invention the U-shaped support 5 is cast as one piece with the lower portion 4 and extends as an inward projection from the approximate center of the end walls 7.

In the presently preferred embodiment of my invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a horizontal longitudinal slit 9 is provided of sufficient width to permit the passage of the wet tissue and is located at a point above the reservoir. The upper portion 3 is fashioned to fit into and be supported by the lower portion 4. Thus, the upper portion 3 defines a cutaway section of a cylinder. The bottom edge 3a of the upper portion 3 is recessed to form the slit 9. A lip 11 projects upwardly from the recessed edge 3a of the upper portion 3 at an angle such that the said upper protruding lip 11 of the upper portion 3 converges toward and meets the lower lip 10 which thereby bears a part of the weight of the upper portion 3. This creates a squeegee effect where the upper lip 11 and lower lip 10 converge and presses the excess wetting liquid out of the body cleaning tissue causing it to drain to the inside and into the reservoir.

The lower lip 10 serves as a tearing edge by means of which the wetted body cleaning tissue can be severed into suitable lengths.

As seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the tissue 2 is supported on a cylindrical roll 6 which in turn is rotatably supported by the inwardly protruding U-shaped bearing members 5.

Referring to FIG. 3, the roller support 6 is provided with a shoulder 12 near each end of the roller which serves several purposes. It prevents the roller from shifting excessively within the U-shaped support 5, and in cooperation with the U-shaped support 5 the roller 6 confines a disc 13 between the two shoulders created by the end of the support 5 and the shoulder 12 of the roller. The circular disc 13 has a portion of the center removed defining a hole through which the cylindrical end of the roller 6 protrudes. A disc 13 is disposed at each end of the roller 6. The disc 13 prevents shearing of the roll of tissue 6.

Referring to FIG. 1 and 2, I have provided a knob 8 on the top of the upper portion 3 for the purpose of conveniently removing the upper portion to service the inside of the container 1 with fresh liquid and tissue.

Notches 14 are provided in the ends of the lower portion to permit the insertion and withdrawal of the roller 6.

Claims

I claim:

1. A device for wetting and dispensing lengths of body cleaning tissue from rolls thereof, said device comprising:

a. an elongate container shaped and dimensioned to receive and enclose a roll of body cleaning tissue, the lower portion of said container forming a reservoir for tissue wetting liquid, said container including means for rotatably supporting a horizontal roll of body cleaning tissue therewith and having an aperture in the upper portion thereof above said reservoir shaped and sized to permit insertion of said roll of tissue within said container upon said rotatable roll supporting means;

b. a cover member for said aperture which in operative position closes said aperture except for a horizontal longitudinal slit located above said reservoir parallel to the axis of rotation of said roll, said cover member including and formed integrally therewith an upwardly, outwardly extending doctor lip, the weight of said cover member being sufficient to press said doctor lip against said wetted cleaning tissue to squeeze excess liquid therefrom; and

c. a tissue support lip formed integrally with said container extending upwardly along the lower edge of said slit on the exterior of said container, the outer edge of said lip forming a tearing edge for said wetted tissue, said tissue support lip being located below and cooperating with said doctor lip to squeeze excess liquid from said wetted tissue such that excess liquid squeezed therefrom is returned to said reservoir.