MEN'S PERSONAL HYGIENE NAPKIN DISPENSER AND WASTE RECEPTACLE

Abstract

A personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device is disclosed. The device has a housing with an integrated first and second compartments. One compartments has both a wet wipe dispenser and a dry wipe dispenser and has an aperture on an upper surface through which a dry wipe is dispensed and an aperture on a lower surface through which a wet wipe is dispensed. The wet wipes separated from the dry wipes and replaceable through at least one lockable access door. The second compartment has a waste receptacle and at least one access door to access the waste receptacle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a men's personal hygiene product. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a men's personal hygiene wet and dry napkin dispenser and waste receptacle for mounting adjacent to a urinal.

Dispensers for paper towels or wipes used in restrooms of offices, public areas, and households are well known. These often are located near restroom sinks for use after hand washing and often contain only dry paper towels.

Following urination, men typically shake or tap their penises in order to eliminate the last vestiges of urine. This can cause embarrassing spotting or staining in the event that urine is inadvertently splashed onto one's clothing or person, and unsanitary conditions by splashing in the general area. Moreover, individuals with urinary complications, such as an enlarged prostate gland, may experience a residual urinary stream which, again, can cause embarrassing spotting or staining.

Convention has not been to teach men to wipe their penises following urination. In addition, given the configuration of most men's restrooms, there is generally no tissue or wiper dispenser or waste receptacle that is convenient to the urinals. Typically, urinals are installed next to one another with a partition wall between them.

At times, however, there is a need for wet wipes, as well as dry wipes, nearer to the facilities that a person uses in the restroom, such as men's room urinals. Accordingly, there is a need for a mountable personal hygiene wipe dispenser that houses both wet and dry wipes in a convenient manner and provides a waste receptacle for the used wipes, while being easily mountable near restroom stalls and urinals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device includes a housing having an integrated first and second compartments. In one embodiment, the first and second compartments are upper and lower compartments in which the upper compartment has at least one cartridge having wet wipes and dry wipes. Preferably, two, separate cartridges are used, one for wet wipes and one for dry wipes. In an alternate embodiment, the compartments are side-by-side.

The upper compartment also has a first aperture on a first surface through which dry wipes are dispensed and a second aperture on a second surface through which wet wipes are dispensed. The cartridges are replaceable through an upper access door on the upper compartment. The lower compartment has a waste receptacle and at least one lower access door. The wipes can be flushable and/or biodegradable.

The first aperture is on a lower surface and the second aperture is on an upper surface so that the wipes are dispensed from the top and bottom of the upper compartment.

The waste receptacle can be a plastic bag, a trash bin or the like. An adhesive is disposed on a rear surface of the housing for mounting the dispenser to a surface.

The dispenser upper compartment can be configured with rails transversely mounted therein that cooperate with recesses formed in the cartridges such that the cartridges are positioned in the upper compartment with the rails received in the recesses to secure the cartridges in the compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present dispenser shown mounted on a bathroom wall adjacent to a urinal

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present dispenser;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present dispenser shown in a partial exploded view;

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the dispenser illustrating the upper compartment side door;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rail and recess mounting for the wipe cartridges within the upper compartment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side loading arrangement for the cartridges in the upper compartment;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a bottom compartment unloading door that swings downward;

FIG. 8 illustrates a mechanical hook mounting arrangement for the dispenser and a wall mount plate; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the dispenser in which the wipe compartments are mounted in a horizontal manner relative to the waste container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.

Referring now to the figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a personal hygiene napkin dispenser and waste receptacle device 10 mounted adjacent to a urinal U in a men's restroom. The device 10 is an integrated, combination two-type napkin/wipe dispenser 12 and waste receptacle 14. The napkins or wipes, hereafter referred to as “wipes,” are wet wipes 16 and dry wipes 18, and can be tissues, napkins, towelettes, or other type of conventional wipe and may be disposable, biodegradable, non-biodegradable, flushable, or non-flushable. Both the wet wipes 16 and dry wipes 18 are individually and separately dispensed from the device 10. The wet wipes 16 may contain an antibacterial, antiseptic, or cleaning solution to help minimize the spread of germs, including bacteria and viruses.

The device 10 is formed so as to mount to a surface 20. The device 10 has a housing 11 with an integrated upper compartment 22 and a lower compartment 32. The upper compartment 22 houses the two-type napkin dispenser 12 in which both the wet and the dry wipes 16, 18, respectively, are stored and dispensed. The dispenser 12 may be either a single cartridge housing both the wet and dry wipes 16, 18 or may be individual cartridges 24, 26 as shown in FIG. 3. The dry wipes 18 are dispensed from a lower cartridge 24 of the napkin dispenser 12 and the wet wipes 16 from an upper cartridge 26 of the napkin dispenser 12. It will be appreciated that the cartridges can be combined to form a single cartridge that includes both the wet and dry wipes partitioned from one another by an internal partition wall. Alternately still, although not preferred, the dry wipes can be dispensed from the upper cartridge and the wet wipes from the lower cartridge. The cartridges can be formed with channels 25 that are fitted onto rails 27 or the like, in the upper compartment 22 to hold the cartridges 24, 26 in place.

The upper compartment 22 has a lockable access door 28 by which the cartridges 24, 26 of the wipes 16, 18 can be replaced. The upper compartment 22 also has apertures 42, 44 through which the wet and dry wipes 16, 18 are accessed. The access door 28 can be located on the side of the housing 11 (see FIG. 4) so that the wipe cartridges 16, 18 are slidable into and out of the upper compartment 22. Alternately, the door 28 can be located on the top of the compartment 22 (see FIG. 3). Alternately still, as seen in FIG. 6, the upper compartment 22 can be configured to swing away (on hinges 23) to open the entire compartment 22 to replace the cartridges 24, 26.

The lower compartment 32 includes a waste receptacle 34 that, once fall, is emptied and replaced. The lower compartment 32 has at least one opening 36 for discarding the wet and dry wipes 16, 18 into the waste receptacle 14, and may have at least one door 38 through which the waste receptacle 14 may be removed. The waste receptacle 14 may be a plastic liner or conventional trash bag, basket, bin, can, or other type of receptacle for the wipes 16, 18. Preferably, the waste receptacle door 38 is also lockable. The door 38 can also be configured to swing down (as seen in FIG. 7) to empty the receptacle 14. The door can be configured to slide to the side, or downward to empty as well the receptacle as well.

The device 10 is provided with an adhesive, such as a commercial grade two-sided tape 45, glue band, two-part mechanical hook and loop fastening systems (e.g., VELCRO®) or the like on the rear surface of the housing 11 to adhere quickly and easily to walls such that no hardware or permanent installation is required. The device 10 is also easily removed and replaced if needed. However, it is also contemplated that the device 10 may be mounted on a surface 20 such a bathroom wall or bathroom stall using cement or other type of bonding agent or other conventional means such as mechanical fasteners (e.g., bolts) or the like, if for example, a more permanent mounting is desired. Alternately still, as seen in FIG. 8, the dispenser 10 can be mounted to a plate 47 having slotted openings 49 and the dispenser can include hooks 51 that insert into the openings 49 to secure the dispenser 10 in place on the wall. It is anticipated that multiple dispensers 10 will be mounted in each restroom with one mounted next to each urinal.

An alternate embodiment of the dispenser 110 is illustrated in FIG. 9 in which the waster receptacle 114 compartment 132 is mounted side-by-side with the cartridge 124, 126 compartment 122. In this embodiment, the wipe compartment 122 is mounted horizontally adjacent to the waste receptacle compartment 132. This configuration can be used where horizontal space is a premium. As seen, the cartridge compartment door 128 can be on the side of the dispenser 110 and the waste receptacle door 138 can be on the side (not shown) or on the bottom of the dispenser 110. All such arrangements are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

It is anticipated that the dry wipes 18 will be used to dry the penis or other private areas, the wipe disposed of, and the wet wipe 16 used to wipe one's hand, and then also disposed. Of course, the wet wipe 16 may be also used to cleanse the genital or private area, followed by the use of the dry wipe 18. In addition, a wipe may be used to wipe the urinal to use or to protect one's hands from contamination when flushing. It is also anticipated that advertising A or other signage may be placed on the housing 11 of the device 10.

The benefits of the present device 10 are numerous. Having the present personal hygiene device 10 mounted within easy reach of the user allows the user to remove excess fluid after urination, thereby preventing unsanitary conditions, mess, odor, or staining on clothing that might otherwise occur, and to quickly wipe or sanitize their hands quickly thereafter. The device 10 helps increase personal cleanliness and hygiene and may help prevent the spread of disease. Of course, it will be appreciated that the wipes can be used to clean any area, and the use of the wipes (in lieu of shaking and/or tapping) will eliminate the need to shake or tap and thus reduce the opportunity to spread urine in the general area.

All patents referred to herein, are incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically done so within the text of this disclosure.

In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.

From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device, the device comprising:

a housing having an integrated upper compartment and lower compartment, the upper compartment having at least one cartridge, the at least one cartridge having wet wipes and dry wipes, the upper compartment also having a first aperture on a first surface through which dry wipes are dispensed and a second aperture on a second surface through which wet wipes are dispensed, the wet wipes separated from the dry wipes, the at least one cartridge being replaceable through at least one upper access door on the upper compartment, the lower compartment having a waste receptacle and at least one lower access door.

2. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the wipes are flushable.

3. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the wipes are biodegradable.

4. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the first aperture is on a lower surface and the second aperture is on an upper surface.

5. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the waste receptacle is a plastic bag.

6. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the waste receptacle is a trash bin.

7. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 1, wherein an adhesive is disposed on a rear surface of the housing for mounting the dispenser to a surface.

8. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 1, including two cartridges, one cartridge containing the wet wipes and one cartridge containing the dry wipes.

9. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is refillable.

10. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the upper compartment has rails transversely mounted therein and the at least one cartridge has recesses formed therein wherein the cartridge is positioned in the upper compartment with the rails received in the recesses to secure the at least one cartridge in the compartment.

11. A personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device, the device comprising:

a housing having a integrated first and second compartments, the first compartment having at least one cartridge, the at least one cartridge having wet wipes and dry wipes, the first compartment also having a first aperture on a lower surface through which dry wipes are dispensed and a second aperture on an upper surface through which wet wipes are dispensed, the wet wipes separated from the dry wipes, the at least one cartridge being replaceable through at least one access door on the first compartment, the second compartment having a waste receptacle and at least one access door.

12. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 11 wherein the first and second compartments are upper and lower compartments, respectively.

13. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 11 wherein the first and second compartments are side-by-side one another.

14. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 13 wherein the access door for the second compartment is on a lower surface thereof.

15. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 13 wherein the access door for the first compartment is on a side thereof.

16. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 12 wherein the access door for the first compartment is on a side thereof.

17. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 12 wherein the access door for the first compartment is formed by first compartment being mounted to the dispenser by a hinge and wherein the first compartment swings away from the housing to access the at least one cartridge.

18. The personal hygiene wipe dispenser and waste receptacle device of claim 11 including advertising disposed on the housing.