Restroom sanitary exit methodology and system

Abstract

Restroom sanitary exit methodology and systems are for users to exit a restroom without touching the exit door or the door opening fixture. The methodology includes: providing a restroom with an exit door that opens inwardly with a door opening fixture on its inside and a hand wipe dispenser containing a plurality of sequential hand wipes having a width no greater than nine inches; removing a hand wipe from the dispenser; placing the wipe between user's hand and the opening fixture of the door; opening the at least one exit door by a user's hand with the wipe without direct contact between the user's hand and the opening fixture; and disposing of the hand wipe. The system is the collection of physical components involved.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is a restroom sanitary exit methodology and system that permits a user of a restroom to exit without the hand touching the door opening fixture. More specifically, the invention includes methodology and systems for dispensing small hand wipes that are taken sequentially by users from the dispenser and used to hold the door opening fixture. In some embodiments, there is a disposal receptacle attached to the door below the fixture. Preferred is the door opening fixture and the receptacle being a single connected piece with the receptacle not only below the door handle, but positioned so the user just drops the wipe from the door handle to the receptacle without lateral movement and without even needing to think about it.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

The following patents relate to opening doors without touching:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,454 to William Hartselle, III describes a sanitary opener for attachment to a door for use by an operator to open the door with his forearm or elbow. The opener comprises a first portion generally parallel to the door for attachment to the door, a second portion extending away from the door and a third portion with a generally planar contact surface facing the door. To open the door, the operator places his forearm behind the third portion and against the contact surface, and pulls. A sanitary advantage is gained since an operator's hands do not touch the door. An alternate embodiment provides for a foot operated opener.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,971 B1 to Jeffrey Robert Krawczyk describes a touchless door pull apparatus comprising an engagement slot on a door, and a cooperating hand tool. The slot and hand tool are cooperatively configured such that the hand tool can be engaged with the slot, temporarily coupling the hand tool and the door to each other. The hand tool is then pulled away from the door, thus to open the door without touching the door. The slot can be part of a door accessory mounted on the door, or can be fabricated into the door structure. As an accessory, the door pull apparatus comprises a pull base for mounting on the door. The pull base and hand tool have first and second engagement elements, cooperatively configured such that the first and second engagement elements can be engaged, thus to temporarily couple the hand tool and the pull base to each other. The first engagement surface is between the front and the rear of the pull base or door, in a cavity behind, and optionally laterally displaced to a first side of, or to opposing sides of, the slot or other engagement opening. The invention further comprehends methods employing the slot or opening, and the hand tool for pulling open a door without touching the door. The method preferably includes uncoupling and removing the hand tool from the door before door reclosure.

Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to restroom sanitary exit methodology and systems. It is intended for users to exit a restroom without touching the exit door or the door opening fixture. The methodology includes:

(a) providing a restroom with at least one exit door that opens inwardly into the restroom, the exit door having a door opening fixture on its inside;

(b) providing a hand wipe dispenser containing a plurality of sequential hand wipes having a width no greater than nine inches, the dispenser being located between two and a half and five feet from floor level in the vicinity of the at least one exit door;

(c) removing at least one of the plurality of hand wipes from the dispenser;

(d) placing the hand wipe between user's hand and the opening fixture of the at least one exit door;

(e) opening the at least one exit door by a user's hand with the hand wipe without direct contact between the user's hand and the opening fixture; and,

(f) disposing of the hand wipe.

The restroom sanitary exit methodology dispenser may be located on the door, either located adjacent the door or attached to the door.

The restroom sanitary exit methodology may further include providing a disposal receptacle. The disposal receptacle may be connected to the hand wipe dispenser or may be separate from it.

The present invention restroom sanitary exit system is the physical hardware components, and includes:

(a) a hand wipe dispenser having a housing for a plurality of sequential hand wipes, the plurality of hand wipes having a width no greater than nine inches, the dispenser having an opening for removal of the hand wipes sequentially therefrom;

(b) attachment means connected to the hand wipe dispenser and adapted for attachment to at least one of a door and a wall; and,

(c) the plurality of hand wipes located in the hand wipe dispenser and positioned for sequential removal therefrom. This system may further include a disposal receptacle. The disposal receptacle is a unit separate from the dispenser, while in the other embodiment, the disposal receptacle is connected to the dispenser.

In some preferred embodiments, the restroom sanitary exit system includes:

(a) a hand wipe dispenser having a housing for a plurality of sequential hand wipes, the plurality of hand wipes having a width no greater than nine inches, the dispenser having an opening for removal of the hand wipes sequentially therefrom;

(b) attachment means connected to the hand wipe dispenser and adapted for attachment to at least one of a door and a wall;

(c) the plurality of hand wipes located in the hand wipe dispenser and positioned for sequential removal therefrom; and,

(d) a door opening fixture located in the vicinity of the hand-wipe dispenser.

This restroom sanitary exit system may further include a disposal receptacle that is a unit separate from the dispenser, or that is connected to the dispenser. Additionally, or alternatively, the restroom sanitary exit system disposal receptacle may be connected to the door opening fixture.

The disposal receptacle is preferably located below the door opening fixture. The door opening fixture may be a handle. In one preferred embodiment, the handle has a side profile in the general shape of an inverted L so as to have an outwardly projecting section with door attachment means at a first end and having a downwardly projecting section at an opposing second end. The user may open the door with this handle, with a hand wipe over it, and just drop the wipe when the door is opened to the desired position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention should be more fully understood when the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of one embodiment of a present invention restroom sanitary exit system dispenser, and FIG. 2a shows a side view thereof with a stacked plurality of hand wipes, while FIG. 2b shows a side view of a rolled, perforated plurality of hand wipes;

FIG. 3 shows the FIG. 1 dispenser with a disposal receptacle, located adjacent a door;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of another present invention embodiment wherein the dispenser and receptacle are a unit;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a door opening fixture and disposal receptacle used in the present invention methodology and system wherein they are connected together to form single unit;

FIG. 6 shows a front oblique view of another present invention system with an integrated dispenser, main mounting frame and receptacle; and,

FIG. 7 shows a front oblique view of another present invention integrated system with a mounting frame, hand wipe dispenser, door handle and receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A user of a public or other non-dedicated restroom cannot rely upon third party users to be completely sanitary. Unfortunately, some restroom users either fail to wash at all after usage, or wash inadequately. As a result, feces flakes and/or urine is left on the hand and may be deposited on the door knob, door pull or other opening fixture. Separately, many germs from sicknesses, colds and other potential medical problems many also be deposited on a door opening fixture by restroom users. Many users recognize these problems and try to exit a restroom without touching anything, including the door opening fixture.

As described above and below, the present invention methodology and system permits a user to exit a restroom without direct hand contact of the door opening fixture, and does so without complex electronic equipment and/or motors.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of one embodiment of a present invention restroom sanitary exit system dispenser 1, and FIG. 2a shows a side view thereof with a stacked plurality of hand wipes 23, while FIG. 2b shows a side view of a rolled, perforated plurality of hand wipes 45. The Figures shall be described collectively with identical elements being identically numbered, and with not all elements being shown or identified in all Figures. Hand wipe dispenser 1 is a hollow bodied housing with a front 3, a dispensing opening 5, a back 7, a top 9, and a bottom 11. It has an inside ramp 17, and a dispensing chute created by separated, slightly tapered walls 15 and 19. In FIG. 2a, the hand wipes are stacked sequentially and folded into one another so that when the first wipe 21 is removed, another from stack 23 is automatically pulled partially out and positioned for the next user. In FIG. 2b, the wipes are in a roll 45, on roller 47, for sequential removal. When wipe 49 is removed, it 8 is perforated and will easily separate from the roll 45. FIG. 2b also illustrates an attachment means, here, screws 41 and 43, for attachment of the dispenser to a wall or door, depending upon the type of door and spacing, as well as wall space availability. As shown below, it is preferred to provide a dedicated trash bin, i.e. disposal receptacle and this could also be attached to the wall or door. The dispensers are located so that the dispensing wipe is anywhere between two and one half feet or so above floor level and up to about five feet from floor level.

Wipes such as wipe 21 and wipe 49 must be no greater than nine inches wide and are preferably no more than eight inches wide to accommodate their intended purpose as a hand protector when griping a door opening fixture such as a knob, press handle, pull handle or the like. They may be soft paper, facial tissue paper or towlette paper, or otherwise, and in some preferred embodiments, may contain one or more antibacterial actives. They may also be perfumed, if desired.

FIG. 3 shows the present invention FIG. 1 dispenser 1 attached to wall 50 with a disposal receptacle 51 also attached to wall 50, both being located adjacent door 60. Door 60, as shown in the Figure, is a restroom door that opens inwardly with pull handle 63 on inside door wall 61. An exiting user will have a sanitary exit by taking wipe 21 and holding handle 63 with wipe 21 to pull open the door. While the door is opened to the desired position, the user may either act quickly or hold the door open with an arm or foot, and place the used wipe in receptacle 51. The receptacle 51 could alternatively be located on the door inside wall 61 or on the outside of the door or the outside wall that is outside th restroom. The dispenser 1 could alternatively be located on the inside wall 61 of door 60.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of another present invention embodiment 101 wherein the dispenser 103 and receptacle 113 are a unit. Back wall 107 is a flat, continuous surface for placement against a wall or door. Top 105 has angled screw attachment orifices such as orifice 115 for attachment to a wall or door. Dispenser 103 has a dispenser chute 109 for sequential removal of wipes such as wipe 121 from stack 117, and receptacle 113 has a bottom 11 that may be opened and swung down for emptying and cleaning.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a door 221 with a door opening fixture 230 and disposal receptacle 240 used in the present invention methodology and system wherein they are connected together to form single unit with backplate 245. They may be unistructurally cast or assembled from a plurality of components. Door opening fixture 230 is a pull handle shaped generally like an inverted “L”, and has a horizontal, or more horizontal than vertical, section 231, that is attached at its inside end to plate 245, e.g. by welding, screwing or some other means, and at its outside end has a vertical section 233. Note that the handle ends with no turn in or obstruction at the bottom. In this manner a user will simply take a wipe from an adjacent dispenser (not shown), hold the door with it to open, and then let go of the hand wipe and it will automatically drop into receptacle 240. The receptacle 240 has a front 241 that may swing down for cleaning, sidewalls such as sidewall 247, and bottom 243, with an open top as shown.

FIG. 6 shows a front oblique view of another present invention system 300 with an integrated dispenser 303, main mounting frame 301 and receptacle 305. Optional instructions 307 are presented at the top area as shown. Trash bin 309 forms the base of receptacle 305 and is preferably removable for emptying and cleaning. The dispenser 303 in this embodiment dispenses wipes such as wipe 310 sideways, as shown. Attachment means may be any known means for attaching a system to a wall or door and these are well known in the paper towel dispenser industry. Here, screw pods 311 and 313 are located on the left side, and similar pods are on the right side (not shown), are used for attachment.

FIG. 7 shows a front oblique view of another present invention integrated system 400, with a mounting frame 405, hand wipe dispenser 401, door handle 421 and receptacle 409. Optional instructions 431 are presented at the top area 403, as shown. Trash receptacle 409 has a front that is preferably openable (with key for keyhole 433) for emptying and cleaning. The dispenser 401 in this embodiment, like that immediately above, dispenses wipes such as wipe 410 sideways, as shown. They could be mounted horizontally, or otherwise, in the alternative.

Handle 421 has atop horizontal section 423 extending outwardly from the main housing and that section 423 has a downwardly extending section 425. In this embodiment, receptacle 409 is directly below handle 421, and the receptacle wall 407 is wider than the location of section 425 from the mounting frame 405 so that the front of receptacle 409 protrudes outwardly further than the handle 420. Attachment means may be any known means for attaching a system to a wall or door. In this case, screws 415 and 417 are located on the top 413, and similar screws 419 and 427 are located at mounting frame 405. A user may merely drop the wipe into the open top 411 of receptacle 409 after pulling on handle 421 with it.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. The restroom sanitary exit methodology which comprises:

(a) providing a restroom with at least one exit door that opens inwardly into said restroom, said exit door having a door opening fixture on its inside;

(b) providing a hand wipe dispenser containing a plurality of sequential hand wipes having a width no greater than nine inches, said dispenser being located between two and a half and five feet from floor level in the vicinity of said at least one exit door;

(c) removing at least one of said plurality of hand wipes from said dispenser;

(d) placing said hand wipe between user's hand and said opening fixture of said at least one exit door;

(e) opening said at least one exit door by a user's hand with said hand wipe without direct contact between said user's hand and said opening fixture; and,

(f) disposing of said hand wipe.

2. The restroom sanitary exit methodology of claim 1 wherein said dispenser is located on said door.

3. The restroom sanitary exit methodology of claim 1 wherein said dispenser is located adjacent said door.

4. The restroom sanitary exit methodology of claim 1 which further includes providing a disposal receptacle.

5. The restroom sanitary exit methodology of claim 2 which further includes providing a disposal receptacle.

6. The restroom sanitary exit methodology of claim 1 wherein said plurality of hand wipes is a plurality of antibacterial hand wipes.

7. The restroom sanitary exit methodology of claim 1 wherein said hand wipe dispenser includes a disposal receptacle connected to it.

8. A restroom sanitary exit system, which comprises:

(a) a hand wipe dispenser having a housing for a plurality of sequential hand wipes, said plurality of hand wipes having a width no greater than nine inches, said dispenser having an opening for removal of said hand wipes sequentially therefrom;

(b) attachment means connected to said hand wipe dispenser and adapted for attachment to at least one of a door and a wall; and,

(c) said plurality of hand wipes located in said hand wipe dispenser and positioned for sequential removal therefrom.

9. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 8 wherein said system further includes a disposal receptacle.

10. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 9 wherein said disposal receptacle is a unit separate from said dispenser.

11. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 9 wherein said disposal receptacle is connected to said dispenser.

12. A restroom sanitary exit system, which comprises:

(a) a hand wipe dispenser having a housing for a plurality of sequential hand wipes, said plurality of hand wipes having a width no greater than nine inches, said dispenser having an opening for removal of said hand wipes sequentially therefrom;

(b) attachment means connected to said hand wipe dispenser and adapted for attachment to at least one of a door and a wall;

(c) said plurality of hand wipes located in said hand wipe dispenser and positioned for sequential removal therefrom; and,

(d) a door opening fixture located in the vicinity of said hand wipe dispenser.

13. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 12 wherein said system further includes a disposal receptacle.

14. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 13 wherein said disposal receptacle is a unit separate from said dispenser.

15. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 13 wherein said disposal receptacle is connected to said dispenser.

16. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 13 wherein said disposal receptacle is connected to said door opening fixture.

17. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 13 wherein said disposal receptacle is located below said door opening fixture.

18. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 8 wherein said plurality of hand wipes is a plurality of antibacterial hand wipes.

19. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 18 wherein said door opening fixture is a handle.

20. The restroom sanitary exit system of claim 19 wherein said handle has a side profile in the general shape of an inverted L so as to have an outwardly projecting section with door attachment means at a first end and having a downwardly projecting section at an opposing second end.