Wipe-Moistening Dispenser

Abstract

A wipe dispenser with a mechanism that enables the user to moisten the wipes, which comprises a liquid container, a bottom roller, a top roller, an adjustment button, and an adjustment mechanism that lowers and raises the top roller. The liquid container is designed to contain liquid that is used to moisten and wet the wipes. The bottom roller is attached horizontally by means of axial joints to the top of the liquid container so that the bottom roller may be partially immersed in the liquid in the container. The top roller is attached horizontally to the adjustment mechanism and is parallel and slightly above the bottom roller. The adjustment mechanism can be moved up and down using the adjustment button, causing the wipes to become moist or wet while the user pulls them out of the dispenser.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to a wipe dispenser with a moistening mechanism that enables the user to pull out a dry wipe that passes through a mechanism that moistens it to the degree of wetness the user desires.

BACKGROUND ART

The general public customarily uses wipes in the lavatory and in the kitchen, to clean up babies and faces, and for many other various uses. In many cases, the wipes that are used are moist—moist baby wipes, moist facial tissue paper, moist toilet paper and other forms of moist wipes. In the present patent, the term “moist wipe” refers to all kinds of moist baby wipes, moist facial tissue paper, moist toilet paper, etc. and the term “dry wipe” refer to those same wipes when they are dry condition. There are, however, times when the user has a dry wipe but wants to use a moist wipe, and vice versa. The dispenser, subject of the present invention, provides the user with dry wipes that can be used either dry, moist or wet, according to need.

THE DRAWINGS

The drawings attached to the present application are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and the possible ways of its application. The drawings are intended only to illustrate the invention and constitute only one of many possible ways of its application.

FIG. 1 depicts a dispenser (1) comprises a container (2), a bottom roller (3), a top roller (4), an adjustment mechanism (6), and an adjustment button (5).

FIG. 2 depicts a dispenser (1) comprises a container (2), a horizontal roller (7), an adjustment mechanism (6) and an adjustment button (5).

FIG. 3 presents a schematic cross-section of the dispenser (1) comprises also an electric motor (8), and a relay system that is connected to the top roller (4).

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the dispenser (1) in closed position with its casing (11) and cover (12).

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict the dispense (1) wherein its cover (12) is open and its internal components are visible.

FIG. 8 depicts the dispenser (1) and a roll (200) of dry wipes (100) an activation button (5) and an upper liquid container (21).

FIGS. 9 and 10 present a semi sided cross-section of the dispenser (1) with the liquid container (2), the bottom roller (3) and the fork (44).

THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a dispenser (1) for dry wipes that is equipped with a mechanism that moistens or wets the dry wipes so that the user may use the wipe as a dry. moist or wet wipe, accordingly to need.

The first embodiment of the dispenser (1), subject of the present invention, is depicted in FIG. 1. The dispenser (1) is designed to contain dry wipes (100), which may be packaged either as a roll or as separate sheets. The drawings that are attached to this application depict as example the dispenser (1) with a roll of dry wipes (100). The dispenser (1) comprises a liquid container (2), a bottom roller (3), a top roller (4), an adjustment button (5) and an adjustment mechanism (6) that lowers and raises the top roller (4). FIG. 1 depicts a roll of dry wipes (100) with a horizontal cavity through which a horizontal rod (200) may be inserted so that roll of wipes hangs in a manner similar to the way standard toilet-paper rolls hang on horizontal toilet-paper holders in lavatories. The dispenser (1) may have other means on or in which sheets or strips of dry wipes (100) are placed, such as a surface or a compartment, so that the dispenser (1) may be used both with dry wipes that come in rolls and with dry wipes that come in individual sheets.

The liquid container (2) contains a liquid that is used to moisten and wet the dry wipes (100). The liquid can be one of many kinds, such as those used to moisten wipes.

The bottom roller (3) is attached horizontally to the top of the container (2) in such a way that its two ends are attached by means of axes to the two sides of the container (2). These axial joints enable the bottom roller (3) to rotate around its horizontal axis. The bottom roller (3) is attached to the container (2) in such a way that it is partially immersed in the liquid that is in the container (2). The bottom roller (3) can be made of a variety of materials such as wood, metal or plastic and is coated with an absorbent material, such as a sponge or fabric, so that its entire surface remains moist and wet while the roller (3) rotates around its horizontal axis while partially immersed in the liquid that is in the container (2).

The top roller (4) is attached horizontally to the adjustment mechanism (6), by means of similar axial joints, and is parallel to the bottom roller (3) and positioned slightly above it. The axial joints enable the top roller (4) to rotate around its horizontal axis. As mentioned, the top roller (4) is attached to the adjustment mechanism (6), which the user can move slightly up and down using the adjustment button (5). The adjustment mechanism (6) can thus be in one of three positions: up, down, and intermediate. The position of the adjustment mechanism (6) is determined and controlled by the user using of the adjustment button (5).

The container (2) is designed to serve as a base for the dispenser (1) and so its bottom (222) is flat so that the dispenser (1) may be placed on any surface, such as a table or kitchen countertop. In addition, the dispenser (1) is equipped with an automatic refilling container (21) that is assembled on the top of the container (2) so that liquid may flow into the container (2) in an automatic manner that is regulated by vacuum in the refilling container (21) and the liquid level in the container (2). Specifically, as long as the level of liquid in the container (2) is higher than rim of the bottom opening (211) of the refilling container (21), the liquid in the refilling container (21) is prevented from flowing downward into the container (2) by the vacuum that exists in the refilling container above the liquid. However, when the level of liquid in the container (2) drops beneath the rim of the bottom opening (211), liquid flows from the refilling container (21) into the container (2) until the said level once more reaches the rim of the bottom opening (211). The refilling container (21) enables the container (2) to be refilled with liquid in an automatic, effective, easy and quick manner. When the refilling container (21) is empty and the liquid in the container (2) is depleted, the empty refilling container (21) is simply replaced with a new, full container (21). The dispenser (1) is also equipped with a front cover (12) that covers both the top roller (4) and the bottom roller (3). The dispenser may also have a front cover (223).

Using the dispenser (1): As the user pulls it out of the dispenser (1), the dry wipe (100) passes between the two rollers (3) (4) so that when the top roller (4) is in up position, the wipe passes without touching the bottom roller (3) and the user can use the wipe dry. When the top roller (4) is in intermediate position, it causes the dry wipe (100) to touch the bottom roller (3) lightly, so that the user can use the wipe moist, and when the top roller (4) is in down position, the wipe comes in full contact with the bottom roller (3), causes it to become thoroughly wet, so that the user can use the wipe wet. As mentioned, the adjustment button (5) controls the position, in terms of height, of the top roller (4) and, as a results, it controls the degree to which the wipe (100) is moistened as the user pulls it out of the dispenser (1).

The second embodiment of the dispenser (1) is described in a detailed in FIGS. 4-10. FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the dispenser (1) in closed position with its casing (11) and cover (12). FIGS. 6 and 7 depict the dispenser (1) whereby its cover (12) is missing or open and its internal components are visible. FIGS. 6-8 depict a roll (200) of dry wipes (100), an activation button (5) and an upper liquid container (21) that feeds liquid into the liquid container (2) as required.

FIG. 7 also depicts a fork-like component with two double arms (44) (hereinafter referred to as “the fork”) that replaces the top roller (4) from the first embodiment of the invention and is designed to hold the dry wipe (100) and lower it according to need. The dry wipe (100) is inserted between the pair of top rods (441) and the pair of bottom rods (442) that comprise the fork (44).

As mentioned, the fork (44) is designed so that it lowers the dry wipe (100) and presses it against the bottom roller (3) which is saturated with liquid since it is partially immersed in the liquid container (2). The fork (44) holds the dry wipe (100) and presses it against the bottom roller (3) using the arms of the fork to wrap the wipe around part of the bottom roller (3), producing more effective contact and better wetting of the dry wipe (100). The fork (44) is actually made up of two pair of parallel narrow pieces (the arms) between which the wipes pass. When the fork (44) is in up position, its structure prevents the wipes passing through it from touching the liquid-saturated bottom roller (3) and so the wipes remain dry. In addition, the dispenser (1) is equipped with a cutting edge (13) that runs along against to the bottom edge of the cover (12). FIGS. 9 and 10 present a semi sided cross-section of the dispenser (I) with the liquid container (2), the bottom roller (3), which is partially immersed in liquid, and the fork (44) which is in down position, i.e. the wipe (100) is pressed against the bottom roller (3) which is saturated with liquid. FIG. 10 depicts teeth (13) along the bottom edge of the cover (12) that help the user tear off a desired length of wipe, either dry or moistened, as depicted and illustrated.

The third embodiment of the dispenser (1), subject of the present invention, is depicted in FIG. 2. The dispenser (1) in the second embodiment of the invention is similar in principle to the dispenser (1) in the first embodiment but has only one horizontal roller (7) that is lowered by the adjustment mechanism (6) so that the dry wipe (100) itself is immersed in the liquid in the container (2) while the user pulls it out, and so can be used by the user in moist condition.

The dispenser (1), of the first, second and third embodiments, can be equipped with an electric motor (8) and a relay system (9). The relay system (9) is connected to the top roller (4) described in the first embodiment, to the fork (44) of the second embodiment or to the horizontal roller (7) described in the second embodiment. Pressing the dispenser's adjustment button activates the electrical motor (8), which in turn activates the relay system (9), which raises or lowers the top roller (4), the fork (44) or the horizontal roller (7). Thus, the user may cause the wipe to be moistened or wet by pressing the adjustment button that, in this case, is electrical rather than mechanical. The first embodiment of the dispenser (1) is depicted for example schematically in FIG. 3, in semi sided cross-section, showing the electrical motor (8), which in turn activates the relay system (9).

As mentioned, the dispenser (1) is designed for use with dry wipes that are either in a roll or are pre-cut sheets or strips. The dispenser (1) can be either a permanent device that is installed in the lavatory, bathroom, kitchen, etc. or it can be portable and so can be used for a variety of uses. The dimensions of the dispenser (1) are adapted to the designated use and location of usage. When the liquid in the container (2) is all used up, liquid may be added to the container (2) from an external container.

Claims

1. A wipe dispenser with a mechanism that enables the user to moisten wipes, which comprises a liquid container, a bottom roller, a top roller, an adjustment button, an adjustment mechanism that raises and lowers said top roller, a front cover, and a refilling container; wherein said liquid container is designed to contain liquid that is used to moisten and wet said wipes; wherein said bottom roller is attached horizontally by means of axial joints to a top of said liquid container so that the bottom roller may be partially immersed in liquid in said liquid container; wherein the top roller is attached horizontally by means of axial joints to said adjustment mechanism, so that it is parallel and slightly above the bottom roller; wherein the adjustment mechanism can be moved up and down using the adjustment button; wherein the liquid container has a flat bottom; wherein the front cover is designed to cover both the top and bottom rollers; wherein the refilling container is attached to the top of the liquid container.

2. A wipe dispenser with a mechanism that enables the user to moisten wipes, which comprises a liquid containers, a horizontal roller, an adjustment button, an adjustment mechanism that raises and lowers the horizontal roller, a front cover, and a refilling container; wherein the liquid container is designed to contain liquid that is used to moisten and wet said wipes; wherein the horizontal roller is attached horizontally to the adjustment mechanism; wherein the adjustment mechanism can be moved up and down using the adjustment button so that said wipes may be immersed in liquid while a user pulls them out of said dispenser; wherein the liquid container has a flat bottom; wherein the front cover is designed to cover the horizontal roller; wherein the refilling container is attached to a top of the liquid container; wherein said adjustment mechanism ends with a fork with two upper arms and two bottom arms, between which said dry wipes are inserted such that said fork lowers and raises the wipe and causes contact between the wipe and the said horizontal roller.

3. The dispenser mentioned in claim 1 wherein it is also equipped with an electric motor and a relay system; wherein the electric motor is connected to said top roller; wherein an activation of said motor causes said relay system to lower and raise said top roller.

4. The dispenser mentioned in claim 2 wherein it is also equipped with an electric motor and a relay system; wherein said electric motor is connected to said fork; wherein an activation of said motor causes said relay system to lower and raise said fork.