The present application is related to U.S. Design Pat. D718,953S entitled “Sanitary Wipe Dispenser” (the “'D953 Patent”) and U.S. Design Patent application No. 29/794, 533 filed Jun. 14, 2021 entitled “Wipe Dispenser”. The present application incorporates by reference the entirety of the disclosures of the 'D953 Patent and Design Patent Application No. 29/794, 533 as if the 'D953 Patent and Design Patent Application No. 29/794, 533 were set forth in full herein.
This section introduces aspects that may be helpful to facilitate a better understanding of the described invention(s). Accordingly, the statements in this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is, or what is not, in the prior art.
It is desirable to provide dispensers and related devices and methods for mounting dispensers that overcome the shortfalls of existing techniques.
The inventor discloses various inventive dispensers and devices and related methods for mounting dispensers that overcome the shortfalls of existing techniques.
In one embodiment, an inventive dispenser may comprise: a wipe chamber component; a discard receptacle component; and a mounting device configured to at least fix the wipe chamber component and the discard receptacle component to a supporting structure capable of supporting the weight of the dispenser filled with unused wipes and as link to connect the wipe chamber component and discard receptacle component.
The composition of the wipe chamber component, discard receptacle component and mounting device comprises an opaque thermoplastic and amorphous polymer, for example.
As described herein, the wipe chamber component may be configured to receive, hold and dispense unused wipes and the discard receptacle component may be configured to receive, hold and discard used wipes. The mounting device may be configured to at least fix the wipe chamber component and the discard receptacle component to a supporting structure capable of supporting the weight of the dispenser filled with the unused wipes in the wipe chamber component and used wipes in the discard chamber component.
Further, the discard receptacle component may comprises a first aperture that has a diameter that allows used wipes to be placed into the receptacle component, where the shape of the first aperture may be circular or oval, or alternatively, may be funneled shaped. In addition, the discard receptacle component may comprise tabs positioned around the perimeter of the receptacle component, each of the tabs configured to be rotatably and slidably fit or inserted into a groove of the mounting device to connect and hold the receptacle component to the mounting device.
Still further, the exemplary inventive dispenser may comprise a cover configured to cover a second aperture of the discard receptacle component to prevent used wipes from falling into the wipe chamber component, for example. In one embodiment the cover may be a removable cover, for example.
Similarly, the wipe chamber component may comprises tabs configured to be rotatably and slidably fit or inserted into a groove of the mounting device to connect and hold the wipe chamber component to the mounting device.
Alternatively, instead of tabs, the wipe chamber component and the discard receptacle component may comprise respective one or more integral threads, where the respective threads are configured to be threadably rotated into threads of the mounting device to connect and hold the respective component to the mounting device. In an embodiment, each of the respective threads of each of the components may be threaded in the same direction (e.g., clockwise).
The wipe chamber component may comprise a removable wipe chamber interface element for regulating the dispensing of unused wipes from the wipe chamber, where the removable wipe chamber interface element may be composed of a thermoplastic elastomer material, for example. In more detail, the removable wipe chamber interface element may comprise a frictional aperture comprising frictional edge openings and a central frictional aperture to regulate the dispensing of unused wipes, where the frictional aperture may forms an “+” shape, for example. Further, the dimensions of the edges and central aperture are selected to frictionally dispense an unused wipe or wipe section from unused wipes held within the wipe chamber component.
The removable wipe chamber interface element may itself comprise one or more indentations, each of which is configured around a perimeter of the wipe chamber interface element and may be aligned with corresponding protrusions on an interior of a bottom surface of the wipe chamber component to fix the wipe chamber interface element over the interior of the bottom surface and to align a central frictional aperture of the wipe chamber interface element with an aperture on the bottom surface to allow wipes to be dispensed from the wipe chamber component.
Regarding the mounting device, it may comprise a curved element that further comprises one or more grooves, where each groove is located at a different position around an internal perimeter surface of the curved element and is configured to receive at least one tab of the discard receptacle component and at least one tab of the wipe chamber component. The mounting device may further comprise a bracket configured to be integrally molded to the curved element to support at least the weight of the curved element the wipe chamber component filled with unused wipes and the discard receptacle component filled with used wipes.
In an embodiment, the bracket may comprise one or more openings, each opening configured to receive a fastener therethrough to allow the bracket to be secured and/or fixed to a supporting structure. Alternatively, the bracket may comprise an adhesive surface or covering to fix the bracket to the supporting structure.
Yet further, the bracket may comprise one or more slots, each slot configured to receive a fastener therethrough.
In addition to inventive dispensers the inventor also discloses inventive mounting devices and related methods.
In one embodiment, an exemplary inventive mounting device for a dispenser may be configured to at least fix a wipe chamber component and a discard receptacle component of the dispenser to a supporting structure. Such a mounting device may comprise: a curved element that comprises one or more grooves, where each groove is located at a different position around an internal perimeter surface of the curved element and is configured to receive tabs of the discard receptacle component and tabs of the wipe chamber component; and a bracket configured to be integrally molded to the curved element to support at least the weight of the curved element, the wipe chamber component filled with unused wipes and the discard receptacle component filled with used wipes. The bracket may comprise one or more openings, each opening configured to receive a fastener therethrough to allow the bracket to be secured and/or fixed to the supporting structure, or, alternatively, may comprise an adhesive surface or covering to fix the bracket to a supporting structure. Yet further, the bracket may comprise one or more slots, each slot configured to receive a fastener therethrough.
Exemplary embodiments of devices and related methods for mounting dispensers are described herein and are shown by way of example in the drawings. Throughout the following description and drawings, like reference numbers/characters refer to like elements or components.
It should be understood that although specific embodiments are discussed herein, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, it should be understood that the embodiments discussed herein are for illustrative purposes, and that modified and alternative embodiments that otherwise fall within the scope of the disclosure are contemplated because it is impractical to describe herein with any degree of clarity each and every variation of the inventive ideas for mounting dispensers. For example, though the inventive devices and methods may be applicable to dispensers that dispense sanitary wipes, this is merely exemplary. Alternatively, the inventive devices and methods may be applicable to dispense a plurality of different wipes. Accordingly, as used herein the term “wipes” includes, but is not limited to, the following elements: sanitary wipes, antiseptic wipes, disposable wipes, cleaning wipes, disinfectant wipes, hand wipes, wet wipes and antibacterial wipes, where such wipes may be made from a plurality of different materials such as a cotton, bamboo, polyester, viscose/rayon, a wood pulp or a non-woven cloth material, for example, and may include, or be treated with, a cleaning, disinfecting, antiseptic, or antibacterial chemical or material, for example.
It should also be noted that one or more exemplary embodiments may be described as a process or method (the words “method” or “methodology” may be used interchangeably with the word “process” herein). Although a process/method may be described as sequential, it should be understood that such a process/method may be performed in parallel, concurrently or simultaneously. In addition, the order of each step within a process/method may be re-arranged. A process/method may be terminated when completed, and may also include additional steps not included in a description of the process/method if, for example, such steps are known by those skilled in the art.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural form, unless the context and/or common sense or knowledge of one skilled in the art indicates otherwise.
It should be understood that when an device, or a component or element of a device, is referred to, or shown in a figure, as being “connected” to (or other tenses of connected) another component or element of a device, such components or elements may be directly connected, or may use intervening components or elements to aid a connection. In the latter case, if the intervening components or elements are well known to those in the art then they may not be described herein or shown in the accompanying figures for the sake of clarity.
As used herein the term “configured to” and/or “operable to” means “functions to” unless the context, common sense or knowledge of one skilled in the art indicates otherwise.
It should be understood that when used herein, the designations “first”, “second”, “third” etc., are used to distinguish one component or element of a system or device or part of a process from another and do not indicate an importance, priority or status unless the context, common sense or recognized knowledge of those skilled in the art indicate otherwise. In fact, in some cases the component or elements of a device or steps in a process could be re-designated (i.e., re-numbered) and it would not affect the scope of the present invention.
It should be noted that the devices, as well as any components, or elements thereof, illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and need not be representative of an actual shape or size and need not be representative of any actual device. Rather, devices, components and elements are drawn so as to help explain the features, functions and processes of various exemplary embodiments of the present invention described herein.
Relatedly, to the extent that any of the figures or text included herein depicts or describes dimensions, weights, forces or operating parameters it should be understood that such information is not meant to be limiting unless expressly stated, is merely exemplary and is provided to enable one skilled in the art to make and use an exemplary embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.
As used herein, the terms “embodiment” and/or “exemplary” mean an example that falls within the scope of the invention(s).
The present invention provides inventive devices and related methods for mounting inventive dispensers.
Referring now to
In embodiments, the wipe chamber component 2 may be configured to receive, hold and dispense unused wipes while the discard receptacle component 3 may be configured to receive, hold and discard used wipes, for example. In an embodiment, the inventive mounting device 4 may be configured to at least fix the wipe chamber component 2 and the discard receptacle component 3 to a supporting structure (not shown in figure), such as a wall, stud or any one of a number of other, different structures or surfaces that are capable of supporting the weight of the dispenser 1 filled with unused wipes in component 2 and used wipes in component 3.
Referring now to
In the figures the aperture 3a is illustrated as being circular or oval. This is merely exemplary. In an alternative embodiment, the aperture 3a may be funneled shaped, for example, to guide used wipes into the receptacle 3. In such an embodiment the aperture 3a may comprise a funnel shaped wall that protrudes into the component 3.
In an embodiment, the discard receptacle component 3 may be configured with a second aperture 3b as shown in
Also shown in
In an embodiment, a bottom cover 3c configured to cover the second aperture 3b of component 3 is shown in
Referring now to
Yet further, it should be understood that the tabs 5a to 5n, 6a to 6n of components 2, 3 may be slidably inserted into the top or bottom of the device 4. That is to say the device 4 may be turned upside down and still be configured to receive either component 2 or component 3 in its top or bottom.
In comparison, the alternatively configured, inventive dispenser 10 shown in
Referring now to
In an embodiment, each of the tabs 6a to 6n may be configured to be rotatably and slidably fit or inserted into an opening, slot or groove (collectively groove) 4a to 4n of the mounting device 4 to connect and hold the respective component 2, 3 to the device 4 (see also
Referring now to
Also shown are one or more notches or indentations 2i, each of which is configured around a perimeter of the element 2b and may be aligned with corresponding protrusions 2ii on a bottom surface 2d of component 2 (see
Optionally, the dispenser 1 (or 10) may comprise a pressure sensor (not shown in figures), LED photodetectors in combination with electronic transceivers or another type of sensor that is configured to detect the weight or level of unused wipes that remain within a wipe chamber component and generate an electrical signal that may be transmitted or sent to an indicator (e.g., a local or remote display) representing that the detected weight or level has fallen below an adjustable threshold thereby indicating that additional unused wipes may be need to be added to the component 2. Alternatively, such a sensor may comprise a mechanical sensor connected to a mechanical indicator that mechanically and visually indicates a level of unused wipes.
In an embodiment, the wipe chamber component 2 may be configured with a second aperture 2h as shown in
Referring first to
In an embodiment, the cover 3c described elsewhere herein and shown in
The bracket 4ff may optionally comprise one or more openings 4ee, where each opening 4ee may be configured to receive a fastener (not shown), such as a bolt, screw or nail therethrough to allow the bracket 4ff to be secured and/or fixed to a supporting structure (not shown in figure), such as a wall, stud or any one of a number of other, different structures or surfaces that are capable of supporting the weight of a dispenser filled with unused wipes. Alternatively, bracket 4ff may comprise an adhesive surface or covering (not shown) that may be applied on a surface 4gg to fix the bracket 4ff to a supporting structure, for example (see
Referring to
Referring now to
In an embodiment, the cover 3c described elsewhere herein and shown in
The bracket 40ff may optionally comprise one or more openings 40ee, where each opening 40ee may be configured to receive a fastener (not shown), such as a bolt, screw or nail therethrough to allow the bracket 40ff to be secured and/or fixed to a supporting structure (not shown in figure), such as a wall, stud or any one of a number of other, different structures or surfaces that are capable of supporting the weight of a dispenser filled with unused wipes. Alternatively, bracket 40ff may comprise an adhesive surface or covering (not shown) that may be applied on a surface 40gg to fix the bracket 40ff to a supporting structure, for example.
Still further, the bracket 40ff may optionally comprise one or more slots 40dd, where each slot 40dd may be configured to receive a fastener therethrough, such as a cable or wire tie (not shown), which can then also be secured or fixed to a supporting surface to provide additional support for the dispenser filed with unused and used wipes (e.g., the ends that pass through a slot 40dd can be tied around a bar or pipe, for example).
It should be understood that the foregoing description only describes a few of the many possible embodiments that fall within the scope of the inventions. Numerous changes and modifications to the embodiments disclosed herein may be made without departing from the general spirit of the invention, the scope of which is best defined by the claims that follow.
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