Sanitary Roll

Abstract

A novel sanitary wipe dispenser for storing and dispensing moist sanitary wipes at least includes: a column-shaped wall member, the wall member adapted to house a roll of moist sanitary wipes; a first base member coupled to the wall member; a sanitary wipe dispensing port coupled to the wall member, the dispensing port adapted to allow a user to pull sanitary wipes from the interior of the dispenser to its exterior for use; a tubular member coupled to the first base member, the tubular member adapted to provide a pivot support for the roll of moist sanitary wipes; and a second base member attachable to the wall member; wherein the first and second housing base members at least include mounting stems adapted to mount the sanitary wipe dispenser to mounting brackets. An alternate embodiment at least includes: a column-shaped wall member, the wall member adapted to house a roll of moist sanitary wipes; a first base member coupled to the wall member; a sanitary wipe dispensing port coupled to the wall member, the dispensing port adapted to allow a user to pull sanitary wipes from the interior of the dispenser to its exterior for use; a tubular member coupled to the first base member, the tubular member adapted to provide a pivot support for the roll of moist sanitary wipes; and a second base member attachable to the wall member; wherein the first and second housing base members openings adapted to provide clearance through the dispenser; and the tube member is further adapted to receive a mounting stem adapted to mount the sanitary wipe dispenser to mounting brackets.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to personal hygiene products, and specifically relates to post excretory function cleansing products.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bathroom users who use dry paper products such as toilet tissue after completing excretory functions often do not feel as cleansed as desirable on or around the genital and/or anal areas. One solution is to use wet sanitary wipes in the nature of “baby wipes.” However, the sanitary wipes are typically not conveniently located near toilets and the like. Further, two hands are typically needed to remove these wipes before use.

Even if the sanitary wipes are mounted in some way, they are not typically refillable, nor are they mountable to standard toilet tissue brackets or mounts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a sanitary wipe dispenser for storing and dispensing moist sanitary wipes that at least includes: a column-shaped wall member, the wall member adapted to house a roll of moist sanitary wipes; a first base member coupled to the wall member; a sanitary wipe dispensing port coupled to the wall member, the dispensing port adapted to allow a user to pull sanitary wipes from the interior of the dispenser to its exterior for use; a tubular member coupled to the first base member, the tubular member adapted to provide a pivot support for the roll of moist sanitary wipes; and a second base member attachable to the wall member; wherein the first and second housing base members at least include mounting stems adapted to mount the sanitary wipe dispenser to mounting brackets.

The present invention has also been developed to provide a sanitary wipe dispenser for storing and dispensing moist sanitary wipes that at least includes: a column-shaped wall member, the wall member adapted to house a roll of moist sanitary wipes; a first base member coupled to the wall member; a sanitary wipe dispensing port coupled to the wall member, the dispensing port adapted to allow a user to pull sanitary wipes from the interior of the dispenser to its exterior for use; a tubular member coupled to the first base member, the tubular member adapted to provide a pivot support for the roll of moist sanitary wipes; and a second base member attachable to the wall member; wherein the first and second housing base members openings adapted to provide clearance through the dispenser; and the tube member is further adapted to receive a mounting stem adapted to mount the sanitary wipe dispenser to mounting brackets.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front oblique view of the present-inventive sanitary wipe dispenser, shown in a mounted position; and

FIG. 2 is a front oblique view of the components of the present-inventive sanitary wipe dispenser, along with an example of a sanitary wipe roll, and an example of a conventional mounting stem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Each statement of an embodiment is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The independent embodiments are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

Finally, the fact that the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, does not appear at the beginning of every sentence in the specification, such as is the practice of some practitioners, is merely a convenience for the reader's clarity. However, it is the intention of this application to incorporate by reference the phrasing “an embodiment,” and the like, at the beginning of every sentence herein where logically possible and appropriate.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The present-inventive sanitary wipe dispenser 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the preferred embodiment, the sanitary wipe dispenser 100 is in the form of a cylindrical canister with a wall member 110 made of a material such as plastic, although other materials are certainly possible. The canister houses refillable rolls 184 of wet sanitary wipes. Also in the preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the dispenser are such that it can be mounted on a standard toilet tissue roll mount, although this need not actually be the case.

A tube member 120 provides rotation support for a sanitary wipe roll stored in the dispenser. In the preferred embodiment, the tube member is molded with a bottom base member 140. The bottom base member 140 can either attach to the wall member by means such as an interference fit with the wall member, or by threads which match threads on the wall member, allowing the base member 140 to be screwed onto the wall member.

A top base member 130 is also attachable to the wall member 110 by a variety of methods, including the rotational engagement of threads 132 with matching threads on the wall member, and others. The top base member, bottom base member and wall member together (when joined) form an enclosure with sufficient seal to help prevent a stored wet sanitary wipe roll from premature drying. The top base member also has a mounting stem 134 which may be spring-loaded as a matter of design choice. The mounting stem 134, along with a mounting stem on the bottom base member (not numbered) allow the dispenser to be mounted on conventional toilet tissue roll mounting brackets such as the ones numbered 120 and 122.

The dispenser 100 can accommodate sanitary wipe rolls having perforated sheets, as well as rolls without perforations. The sanitary wipes sheets (such as the one labeled 180) are removed from the dispenser via a dispensing port 160. In the preferred embodiment, the dispensing port also contains one or more wedge members capable of wedging between the perforations, to ease separation of a sanitary wipe from the remainder of the roll. A different configuration can be used to aid the cutting or tearing away of a sanitary wipe piece in the case where a non-perforated roll is used. A dispensing port cover 170 in the form of a flap is used to cover the dispensing port when the dispenser is not in use for long periods to limit evaporation of the cleansing agent. The free end of the cover is capable of forming an interference fit with the dispensing port.

An alternate embodiment of the dispenser 100 has top and bottom base members such as the one labeled 150. The base members contain center voids matching the cross section of the tube member 120. This allows the interior of the tube member 120 to be open to the exterior of the dispenser. Using this approach, the dispenser is mounted on a conventional toilet tissue roll mount 190 through the tube member.

In the preferred embodiment, the removable base members allow a new roll of sanitary wipes to be placed into the dispenser when a roll is exhausted. In an alternate embodiment, the dispenser is designed to be discarded and replaced by a new dispenser complete with a full sanitary wipe roll when the roll is exhausted. The dispenser can also be entirely, or nearly entirely, molded into one piece as a matter of design choice.

It is understood that the above-described preferred embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design of this invention.

Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may be constructed of a variety of materials.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A sanitary wipe dispenser for storing and dispensing moist sanitary wipes, said dispenser comprising:

a column-shaped wall member, said wall member adapted to house a roll of moist sanitary wipes;

a first base member coupled to said wall member;

a sanitary wipe dispensing port coupled to said wall member, said dispensing port adapted to allow a user to pull sanitary wipes from the interior of said dispenser to its exterior for use;

a tubular member coupled to said first base member, said tubular member adapted to provide a pivot support for said roll of moist sanitary wipes; and

a second base member attachable to said wall member;

wherein said first and second housing base members comprise mounting stems adapted to mount said sanitary wipe dispenser to mounting brackets.

2. The dispenser in claim 1, wherein said dispenser is mountable in brackets adapted to receive a standard roll of toilet tissue.

3. The dispenser in claim 1, further comprising:

a stop flap coupled to said wall member, said stop flap adapted to interact with a surface or external member to resist the rotation of said dispenser when a sanitary wipe is being removed from said dispenser.

4. The dispenser in claim 1, further comprising:

a sanitary wipe dispensing port cover adapted to allow a user to sear said dispensing port when it is not in use for preserving moisture in said sanitary wipe roll.

5. The dispenser in claim 4, wherein said sanitary wipe dispensing port cover comprises a flange member with a cantilevered end coupled to said wall member, and a non-cantilevered end adapted to mesh with said dispensing port.

6. The dispenser in claim 1, wherein said sanitary wipe roll comprises perforated sanitary wipe sheets.

7. The dispenser in claim 6, wherein said dispensing port further comprises at least one wedge member adapted to wedge between perforated sanitary wipe sheets a facilitating the removal of a sanitary wipe sheet by a user from the sanitary wipe roll.

8. The dispenser in claim 1, wherein said second base member is not removable.

9. The dispenser in claim 1, wherein said second base member and the end of said wall member proximate said second base member comprise matching threads, and said second base member is threadably mountable to said wall member.

10. The dispenser in claim 1, wherein said mounting stems are spring loaded.

11. A sanitary wipe dispenser for storing and dispensing moist sanitary wipes, said dispenser comprising:

a column-shaped wall member, said wall member adapted to house a roll of moist sanitary wipes;

a first base member coupled to said wall member;

a sanitary wipe dispensing port coupled to said wall member, said dispensing port adapted to allow a user to pull sanitary wipes from the interior of said dispenser to its exterior for use;

a tubular member coupled to said first base member, said tubular member adapted to provide a pivot support for said roll of moist sanitary wipes; and

a second base member attachable to said wall member;

wherein said first and second housing base members openings adapted to provide clearance through said dispenser; and said tube member is further adapted to receive a mounting stem adapted to mount said sanitary wipe dispenser to mounting brackets.

12. The dispenser in claim 11, wherein said dispenser is mountable in brackets adapted to receive a standard roll of toilet tissue.

13. The dispenser in claim 11, further comprising:

a stop flap coupled to said wall member, said stop flap adapted to interact with a surface or external member to resist the rotation of said dispenser when a sanitary wipe is being removed from said dispenser.

14. The dispenser in claim 11, further comprising:

a sanitary wipe dispensing port cover adapted to allow a user to sear said dispensing port when it is not in use for preserving moisture in said sanitary wipe roll.

15. The dispenser in claim 14, wherein said sanitary wipe dispensing port cover comprises a flange member with a cantilevered end coupled to said wall member, and a non-cantilevered end adapted to mesh with said dispensing port.

16. The dispenser in claim 11, wherein said sanitary wipe roll comprises perforated sanitary wipe sheets.

17. The dispenser in claim 16, wherein said dispensing port further comprises at least one wedge member adapted to wedge between perforated sanitary wipe sheets a facilitating the removal of a sanitary wipe sheet by a user from the sanitary wipe roll.

18. The dispenser in claim 11, wherein said second base member is not removable.

19. The dispenser in claim 11, wherein said second base member and the end of said wall member proximate said second base member comprise matching threads, and said second base member is threadably mountable to said wall member.

20. The dispenser in claim 11, wherein said mounting stem is spring loaded.