Patent Application
20230363594
The present invention relates to a water dispensing assembly, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a toilet paper and water dispensing assembly and a method for keeping the inner buttocks hygiene.
Maintaining good anal hygiene is important for health, wellbeing, and preventing odor. Post defecation, the anal area including the inner buttocks must be cleaned to remove any residues. Two methods for cleaning the anal area and the inner buttocks are common in most countries i.e., rinsing with water and wiping with dry material, such as toilet paper. In western countries, wiping with dry toilet paper is both traditional and standard for anal area hygiene. Wiping with toilet paper, also referred to herein as tissue paper, has certain advantages over rinsing with water, however, the use of dry toilet paper can be harsh to the skin. Excessive or hard wiping can make the skin itchy and irritated. Moreover, depending upon bowels, the toilet paper cannot adequately clean the inner buttocks leaving behind traces or streaks of feces.
Disposable Wet tissue papers and wipes are also well known for cleaning the skin, in particular, that of the face and hands. The wet wipes include chemicals and alcohol and have poor absorbency. They spread and smear the residue, making it more difficult to clean. Wetting the dry tissue paper with water from a tap or a container can make the whole tissue paper wet and wet tissue paper crumbles into small pieces forming a wet ball. Pieces from the wet tissue paper easily break apart and stick to the inner buttocks.
Thus, a need is appreciated for an improved method from cleaning the anal area and inner buttocks post defecation.
The “inner buttock” hereinafter includes the anal area and the skin around the anal area.
The “tissue paper” and “toilet paper” are interchangeably used hereinafter and refer to any absorbent paper known to a skilled person for cleaning the skin.
The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to a dispensing assembly for dispensing dry toilet paper and a stream of liquid.
It is another object of the present invention to improve anal hygiene without irritating the skin.
It is still another object of the present invention that the inner buttocks are cleaned without leaving any residue.
It is yet another object of the present invention that the repeated wiping of inner buttocks can be avoided.
It is a further object of the present invention that the dispensing assembly can be economical to manufacture.
It is still a further object of the present invention that a liquid container of the dispensing assembly containing the liquid can be cleaned and refilled.
In one aspect, disclosed is a dispensing assembly for toilet paper and liquid, and a method for maintaining anal hygiene. The toilet paper can be any dry absorbent paper in the form of a roll of sheets or a stack of interleaved sheets. The method includes the steps of tearing a piece of toilet paper from dispensing assembly. Corrugating the toilet paper by hands and partially wetting the corrugated toilet paper through a stream of liquid dispensed from the dispensing assembly.
In one aspect, 25 to 50% of the toilet paper can be made wet by the stream of liquid.
In one aspect, the liquid dispenser can include sensors to detect the presence of toilet paper in the proximity of a nozzle of the dispensing assembly. The nozzle can be configured to dispense a focused stream of liquid, preferably as a mist or fine droplets of liquid, and the dispensing assembly can be configured to dispense just the right amount of the liquid to partially wet a middle portion of the piece of the toilet paper.
In one aspect, the sensor can be a motion sensor that can detect movement of the hand or the toilet paper in proximity to the nozzle.
In one aspect, disclosed is a method for wiping the inner buttocks using partially wet toilet paper.
In one aspect, the dispensing assembly can include a refillable container for the liquid, wherein the refillable container can be removed, cleaned, refilled, and then replaced.
In one aspect, a water treatment filter can also be incorporated to treat water in the refillable container.
In one aspect, disclosed is a dispensing assembly and a method for maintaining anal hygiene, the method comprising providing the dispensing assembly comprising a housing, wherein a front wall of the housing has a curved concave profile, the front wall of the housing has a top portion and a bottom portion facing each other, a tank mounting member encased with the housing and configured for mounting a liquid tank, the liquid tank removably mounted to the tank mounting member and encased within the housing, a pump enclosed within the housing and in fluid communication with an inner volume of the liquid tank, a nozzle in fluid communication with an output of the pump, the nozzle configured to output a stream of liquid, the nozzle protrudes from the top portion of the front wall, and a beam source and a beam detector configured on the front wall of the housing, the beam detector is positioned in line of sight of the beam source, a beam from the beam source is received by the beam detector; and applying the stream of liquid on a portion of a toilet paper to obtain a partially wet toilet paper. The portion is about 25-50% of the toilet paper. The portion is in a middle of the toilet paper. The method further comprises wiping inner buttocks with the partially wet toilet paper.
In one aspect, the dispensing assembly further comprises a mounting structure encased with the housing and configured to secure an end of a paper roll holder rod, wherein a side wall of the housing has a hole through which an end of the paper roll holder rod is inserted. The dispensing assembly further comprises: the paper roll holder rod coupled to the mounting structure, and a roll of toilet paper mounted to the paper roll holder rod, wherein the method further comprises tearing the toilet paper from the roll of toilet paper. The method further comprises removing the liquid tank from the housing; refilling the liquid tank with water; and coupling the liquid tank to the tank mounting member.
In one aspect, the beam detector is in the top portion of the front wall and the beam source is in the bottom portion of the front wall. Or the beam detector is in the bottom portion of the front wall and the beam source is in the top portion of the front wall. The dispensing assembly further comprises a control unit encased with the housing, the control unit operably coupled to the pump and the beam detector, wherein the control unit is configured to receive a signal from the beam detector, the signal indicative of an absence of the beam from the beam source, and in response to the signal, turn on the pump for a predefined duration.
The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.
Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.
Disclosed is a dispensing assembly that includes a liquid dispensing unit in combination with a tissue holder. The disclosed dispensing assembly is compact and easy to install. Moreover, the disclosed dispensing assembly can be mounted to a wall of a washroom and looks aesthetic and luxurious. Referring to
The liquid dispensing unit 120 can include a refillable container 130 at the bottom, more clearly shown in the right-side view. The bottom of the housing can include a suitable receptacle to receive and secure the mouth of the container. For example, the suitable receptacle can be a threaded groove in the housing, and threads can also be provided on an outer surface of the mouth of the container. The container can be fastened to the housing such that the threads of the mouth of the container can engage with the threads of the groove. While drawings illustrate a cylindrical shape container, it is obvious to a person reading this disclosure that other shapes of the container are within the scope of the present invention. However, the round shape of the container as shown in the drawings may be preferable for a number of reasons. The container can be unfastened from the housing for cleaning, refilling, and the refilled container can again be fastened to the housing.
The liquid can preferably be water with or without any additives. The additives can include fragrance, hard water treating agents, disinfectants, surfactants, and the like. The additives can be dissolved in the water or suspended in the water. For example, a charcoal absorbent pouch can be dropped in the container for treating the water. The container can be easily removed by grabbing the bottom of the container in a hand and twisting the container. Similarly, the container can be easily coupled by inserting the mouth of the container within the receptacle and twisting the container with the hand in a direction opposite to the direction of opening the container. The directions for opening and closing the container can be shown by arrows disposed over the housing. The container can be cleaned to prevent the deposition of scales on the inner and outer surfaces of the containers. The container can be made from plastic, glass, or metal. Preferably, the container can be made from transparent plastic. The water level in the container can be easily visible from outside in the transparent body of the container. Thus, the container can be removed, and the water level can be checked without disassembling the liquid dispensing unit or the liquid hosing, or the whole dispensing assembly.
The liquid dispensing unit 120 can further include a pump 140 (shown in
Nearby the nozzle can be provided sensors 160 to detect the presence of toilet paper in proximity to the nozzle 150. The sensors can be a proximity sensor or a motion sensor, that can detect bringing the toilet paper in front and nearby the nozzle within a threshold range. It is understood that the sensors can detect any object in proximity of the nozzle, such as a hand. However, the sensors can be configured to differentiate the toilet paper or comparable articles. A control unit 170 can control the functioning of the pump and the sensors. The control unit can be implemented in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB) that can be enclosed within the housing 110. The pump and the motion sensors can be electrically connected to the PCB. The sensors can protrude from the housing to detect the presence of toilet paper in the proximity of the nozzle. The instructions to distinguish the toilet paper by the sensors can also be configured in the PCB.
The control unit, the pump, and the motion sensors can be powered by a battery 180 also enclosed within the housing 110. The battery can be a replaceable single-use battery, such as an alkaline battery. The battery can also be a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. The rechargeable battery can be removed from the housing and replaced by a charged battery. Alternatively, charging circuitry can also be provided within the housing to charge the battery from an external power supply. The external power supply can be wired or wireless, and both the wired and wireless power supply is within the scope of the present invention. The charging circuitry can allow charging from either a wired power supply, a wireless power supply, or both. In certain embodiments, the internal battery can be optional, and the disclosed dispensing assembly can be externally powered by the wired or wireless power supply.
The left side of the housing 110 can be provided with a coupling bracket 190. Preferably, the coupling bracket can be provided within the horizontal depression on the left side of the housing 110 as shown in the drawings. The coupling bracket can be removably coupled to the left plate 200 of the housing 110. Alternately, the coupling bracket can be fixedly coupled to the left plate. The left plate may also be removable from the housing. The left plate can be coupled to the hosing through screws, snap-fit, or the like fastening mechanism. Alternatively, the left plate can be integral with the housing to form a single unit. Either the left plate or the right plate can be removable to provide access to the interior of the housing. The right plate 210 can be coupled to the housing 110 similar to the left plate 200.
To the right side of the housing i.e., to the right plate 210 of the housing 110 can be coupled a stem 220 for mounting a tissue roll. The stem 220 can be removably coupled to the right plate 210 using a suitable fastening mechanism. Examples of suitable fastening mechanisms include engaging threads, lock, and key, snap-fit, and the like fastening mechanisms. Also, stem 220 can be integral with the right plate 210 to form a single unit. The stem can extend perpendicular to the right plate. The length of the stem can be proportional to a length of a standard toilet paper roll. However, the length of the stem can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the stems of different lengths can be interchangeably coupled to the right plate of the housing.
The dispensing assembly 100 can further include a left wall mounting bracket 230 and a right wall mounting bracket 240. The coupling bracket 190 on the left plate 200 can couple to the left wall mounting bracket 230. The free end of the stem 220 can couple to the right wall mounting bracket 240. The left wall mounting bracket and the right wall mounting bracket can be mounted to a wall for mounting the disclosed dispensing assembly to a wall. It is understood, however, that certain embodiments describe the stem to be on the right side of the housing i.e., coupled to the right plate, however, the stem can also be provided on the left plate without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In use, a person can tear a piece of toilet paper from the roll mounted to the stem of the dispensing assembly. The toilet paper can optionally be corrugated by hand. Thereafter, the toilet paper can be bought close to the nozzle. The nozzle upon detecting the presence of the toilet paper can output a stream of liquid focused on a small area of the toilet paper, for example, about 25-50% of the toilet paper. Preferably, the middle of the toilet paper can be exposed to a stream of liquid. The major portion of the toilet paper can remain dry, thus retaining the integrity of the toilet paper in hand and during wiping the inner buttocks. A LED 250 can also be seen protruding from the housing, wherein tuning on of the LED can indicate the dispensing of the stream of liquid.
Referring to
On the top portion of the front wall of the housing can be provided a nozzle 820 that protrudes from housing 810. The nozzle can form a stream of liquid wherein the nozzle can be connected to a pump 830 through a tubing. Liquid under pressure is forced through the nozzle wherein the aperture in the nozzle can define the spray pattern and droplet size. On top of the housing can be seen an LED indicator 840 that shows the status of the dispensing assembly 800. The led indicator can remain on indicating that the dispensing assembly working. On the top and bottom portions of the curved and concave profile front wall can be provided a beam source 850 and a beam detector 860. A beam from the beam source can be detected by the beam detector. The beam source and the beam detector are on opposite sides and face each other. The beam detector is within the line of sight of the beam source, and both are on the front wall of the housing near the top and bottom ends of the front wall. When an object, such as tissue paper is placed below the nozzle, the object cuts off the beam from the beam source, and from this, the disclosed assembly can know that an object is below the nozzle.
A control unit 910 can also be provided within the housing 810 in the form of a printed circuit board coupled to the housing. The control unit can detect the liquid level in the tank. Moreover, the control unit can detect a signal from a beam detector 860, wherein the signal indicates that no beam is received by the beam detector.
The pump 830, the control unit 910, the beam source 850, and the beam detector 860 all can be powered by batteries 920. The batteries can be provided in a battery casing, the battery case 930 encased within the housing 810. The battery case can be accessible from the side of the housing, wherein the housing can have a cutout for the battery case. The battery case can be covered by a cover 940, wherein the cover can be removed to gain access to the batteries, such as for replacing the batteries. Cover 940 is shown in
The disclosed assembly can be mounted using a wall plate. The wall plate can have mounting brackets that can receive the projections 950 at the rear wall of the housing 810. The projections can interlock in the mounting brackets. The wall plate can be secured to a wall using suitable fasteners, such as screws, adhesives, and the like. The paper roll can be mounted to the paper roll holder of the disclosed assembly.
In certain implementations, the disclosed dispensing assembly can be used with a conventional paper roll holder.
The disclosed dispenser assembly is advantageous in that the dispenser assembly can spray only at the center of the toilet paper unlike conventional liquid water sprayers that make the entire toilet paper wet for the purpose of wiping. The wet portion of the tissue paper can be for the purpose of blotting allowing the tissue paper that become more absorbance and able to lift waste particles off and away from the skin. The dispenser is design only to spray the center of the toilet paper held in the user hand once placed under the motion sensor. The disclosed dispenser assembly provides control over the amount of water applied to the dry toilet paper in a specific area, allowing the customer to make the dry paper absorbent enough to meet the customers desired moistness for lifting the waste particle off and away from the skin. About 50 to 75% of the paper in hand remains dry; therefore, the strength of the dry paper remains significant with the enhanced absorbency to lift and remove waste particles off away from the skin without breaking up. It is understood that the tissue paper is partially moistened, which is different from the wet tissues.
In one aspect, disclosed is a natural touch liquid dispenser that dispenses liquid stream. The dispenser includes an automated delivery motion sensor that allow the end user to control the amount of liquid applied to a portion of scrunch or folded squares of toilet paper once placed under the nozzle of the dispenser. Once a user places the scrunch or folded squares toilet paper being held in a hand under the nozzle of the dispenser, the motion sensor activates, spraying liquid to the center of the paper held in the hand. Only the portion of the toilet paper gets moisten while rest of the tissue paper remain dry.
The disclosed dispenser can be used on either side of the tissue paper holder. Because of the removable water tank in the dispenser assembly, no hard water builds up inside dispenser. The removable refill water tank can be rinsed out every time the container is refilled. A water treatment filter can also be used in the disclosed dispenser. The disclosed dispensing assembly can be versatile in that it can be used with any make of toilet paper and toilet paper holder. For screw hole, the size ranges from 106.5 mm to 131.5 mm.
As shown in
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
This application is a continuation-in-part of a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/674,538 filed on Feb. 17, 2022, which claims priority from a U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/179,717, filed on Apr. 26, 2021, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63179717 | Apr 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17674538 | Feb 2022 | US |
| Child | 18335644 | US |
