Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The present invention relates to a dispensing assembly for paper products and, more specifically, to a housing and a cartridge for dispensing pre-wetted paper products.
Many conventional combination dispensers for wet and dry paper products (e.g., toilet paper) occupy excessive amounts of space and do not provide convenient access to both the wet and dry paper products. In addition, current dispensers often do not allow for easy replacement or replenishment of the wet paper products by the consumer and fail to provide a barrier to loss of moisture from the wet paper products. Furthermore, some dispensers require installation of special-purpose holders, and dispensers that attach to existing wall-mounted holders may still require modification of the holder, the wall, or other adjacent structure to accommodate the dispenser. Many of these conventional dispensers are not recyclable or may contain one or more components that are not recyclable.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a dispensing assembly for paper products that substantially obviates one or more problems resulting from the limitations and deficiencies of the related art.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a dispensing assembly that includes a housing comprising a plurality of side panels; a cartridge for dispensing a paper product; an actuation subassembly being disposed in the housing, the actuation subassembly configured to advance the paper product disposed in the cartridge; and a slidable drawer subassembly, the slidable drawer subassembly including a cartridge tray for removably receiving the cartridge, the slidable drawer subassembly being displaceable between a closed position where the cartridge is enclosed within the housing and an open position where the cartridge is able to be loaded or unloaded from the cartridge tray.
In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the slidable drawer subassembly further comprises a double slide mechanism for allowing the cartridge tray to be displaced between the closed position and the open position.
In yet a further embodiment, when the slidable drawer subassembly is moved into the closed position, one or more rollers of the dispensing assembly are configured to compress the paper product dispensed from the cartridge.
In still a further embodiment, the dispensing assembly further comprises an active roller and a passive roller, the active roller being driven by the actuation subassembly, and the passive roller being spring-loaded so as to compress the paper product between the passive roller and the active roller.
In yet a further embodiment, the passive roller further comprises a plurality of spaced-apart grooves formed therein, each of the plurality of spaced-apart grooves being configured to receive a respective tooth member in the active roller to facilitate a reliable dispensing of the paper product.
In still a further embodiment, the dispensing assembly further comprises a mechanical release button for opening the slidable drawer subassembly of the dispensing assembly, the mechanical release button being operatively coupled to a spring-loaded mechanical latching device such that a depressing of the mechanical release button releases the spring-loaded mechanical latching device for allowing the slidable drawer subassembly to open.
In yet a further embodiment, the cartridge further comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the cartridge being hingedly connected to the second portion.
In still a further embodiment, the actuation subassembly comprises a drive gear and a drive motor, the drive gear being operatively coupled to the drive motor and to an active roller in the housing, and when a button is depressed on the housing, the drive gear and the active roller rotate a predefined rotational distance to advance the paper product.
In yet a further embodiment, the dispensing assembly further comprises a hanger component attached to the housing, the hanger component comprising a pair of arms that suspend the housing below a spindle.
In still a further embodiment, the hanger component comprises a plurality of attachment protrusions that are configured to snap into corresponding recesses formed in the housing so as to removably attach the hanger component to the housing.
In yet a further embodiment, the cartridge is configured to be inserted into a front of the housing by means of the slidable drawer subassembly.
In still a further embodiment, the paper product comprises cleaning wipes disposed on a roll.
In yet a further embodiment, the actuation subassembly comprises a drive gear, a drive motor, and a membrane switch pad, the drive gear being operatively coupled to the drive motor and to an active roller in the housing, the membrane switch pad comprising a first switch for rotating the drive gear and the active roller a predefined rotational distance so as to advance the paper product, a first indicator light for indicating a low battery condition of the dispensing assembly, a second indicator light for indicating a low sheet count of the paper product, and a second switch for resetting a wipe count to zero when a new cartridge is inserted into the dispensing assembly by a user.
In still a further embodiment, the dispensing assembly further comprises a sensor device configured to detect a portion of a sheet of the paper product after a prior sheet of the paper product has been torn off by a user, and cause the drive motor to reverse until no portion of the sheet is detected by the sensor device, thereby allowing for a smallest amount of sheet surface of the sheet to be exposed to air so as to reduce moisture loss from the sheet when the sheet has been pre-moistened.
In yet a further embodiment, the dispensing assembly further comprises an encoder provided on the drive motor to measure a number of revolutions of the active roller, an output signal of the encoder being used to indicate when to stop the drive motor from rotating so as to result in a sheet of the paper product being positioned correctly, thereby facilitating a proper detachment of the sheet for use.
In still a further embodiment, the dispensing assembly is configured to be mounted to a surface of a support structure, and the drive motor of the dispensing assembly is configured to be powered by a low voltage power source or a 120-volt building power source.
In yet a further embodiment, the dispensing assembly further comprises an electrical release button for opening the slidable drawer subassembly of the dispensing assembly, the electrical release button being operatively coupled to a solenoid latching device such that a depressing of the electrical release button releases a solenoid pin of the solenoid latching device for allowing the slidable drawer subassembly to open, the solenoid latching device configured to be powered by the low voltage power source or the 120-volt building power source.
In still a further embodiment, the dispensing assembly further comprises a heating element for heating the paper product in the cartridge, the heating element being mounted on one of the plurality of side panels of the housing next to the cartridge tray, and the heating element configured to be powered by the low voltage power source or the 120-volt building power source.
In yet a further embodiment, the dispensing assembly further comprises a touchless actuator or switch for dispensing the paper product from the dispensing assembly; and, when a user places his or hand in close proximity to the touchless actuator or switch, an active roller of the dispensing assembly is configured to be rotated a predefined rotational distance so as to advance the paper product, and dispense the paper product from the dispensing assembly.
In still a further embodiment, the cartridge comprises a cartridge extension portion extending outwardly a cartridge dispensing slot of the cartridge, the cartridge extension portion acting as a guide for the proper positioning of a leading edge of a first sheet of the paper product so as to set the proper positioning for the successive sheets of the paper product, and the cartridge extension portion being perforated so as to allow the cartridge extension portion to be separated from a remainder of the cartridge after the leading edge of the first sheet of the paper product has been properly positioned.
It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present disclosure are merely exemplary and explanatory in nature. As such, the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present disclosure should not be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims in any sense.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:
Throughout the figures, the same parts are always denoted using the same reference characters so that, as a general rule, they will only be described once.
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
With reference to
Referring again to
In the illustrative embodiment, the first attachment protrusion 113 may be part of a first removable insert and the second attachment protrusion 114 may be part of a second removable insert (e.g., the removable inserts have resilient prongs for snapping into the respective apertures in the arms 111, 112). The removable inserts allow the hanger subassembly to accommodate different configurations of toilet paper holders. For example, when the removable inserts are removed from the arms 111, 112, the hanger subassembly is able to accommodate an L-shaped toilet paper holder.
In the illustrative embodiment, each of the arms 111, 112 of the first type of hanger subassembly may comprise a plurality of attachment protrusions (e.g., a pair of attachment protrusions) that are configured to snap into corresponding recesses formed in the housing 104 so as to removably attach the hanger subassembly to the housing 104.
Turning to
In the illustrative embodiment, similar to the first type of hanger subassembly, each of the arms 121, 122 of the second type of hanger subassembly may comprise a plurality of attachment protrusions (e.g., a pair of attachment protrusions) that are configured to snap into corresponding recesses formed in the housing 104 so as to removably attach the hanger subassembly to the housing 104.
As shown in
With reference to
The cartridge 180 may be for dispensing a paper product 101, as shown in
Also, as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, when the cartridge 180 is refillable, to install the paper product roll 101 in the cartridge 180, the first portion 181 of the cartridge 180 is opened and the paper product 101 is placed into the cartridge 180. A first sheet of the rolled paper product 101 is inserted through an opening 184 in the cartridge 180 such that the sheet extends outward from the top or side of the cartridge 180.
An initial state of the cartridge is illustrated in
As shown in the illustrative embodiment of
Turning again to
In the illustrative embodiment, the passive roller 192 may be in a form of a grooved passive roller that accepts protrusions or teeth to enhance the dispensing of the paper product 101. For example, as shown in
In one or more alternative embodiments, protrusions or teeth may be molded in the housing 104 of the unit 100. This construction of the dispensing assembly 100 is similar to a “tongue and groove” configuration used in other applications. Advantageously, in these one or more alternative embodiments, the protrusions or teeth elevate the paper product 101 off the passive roller 192 as the unit 100 is dispensing. This prevents the paper product 101 from rolling around the roller 192, thereby increasing the reliability of the unit 100. In one or more alternative embodiments, the dispensing assembly 100 may comprise protrusions or teeth on the edge of the lower case side that interface with the grooved passive roller 192.
In the illustrative embodiment, as shown in
Referring to the exploded view of
With reference to
Now, with reference to
In the first illustrative embodiment, the direct drive motor 160 is electrically powered by batteries 168 (e.g., four (4) disposable AA size batteries 168), which are located in a battery compartment 138 of the housing 104 (see
The electronic control circuit of the control board performs various functions in the illustrative embodiment of the dispensing assembly 100. First, the electronic control circuit of the control board results in the dispensing of exactly one pre-moistened wipe from the internal cartridge 180 for each press of the actuation button 150. Secondly, the electronic control circuit of the control board turns off the drive motor 160 at the correct time so that the perforation on the wipe product generally aligns with the dispensing slot 126. This allows the dispensed product to easily be retrieved by the user by separating the single dispensed wipe from the device. In the illustrative embodiment, the electronic control circuit may be implemented using commercially available electronics components on a custom printed circuit board (PCB). The circuit design utilizes common analog and digital design techniques. Logic control may be achieved using a microcontroller with custom software, digital logic timer/counter integrated circuits, or a combination of these.
In the illustrative embodiment, when a user presses the actuation button 150 with his or her finger on the front of the housing 104 (see e.g.,
In the illustrative embodiment, the actuation button 150 may be in a form of a microswitch on a membrane switch pad. The membrane switch pad may have a plurality of different functions and/or indicators that are used on the dispensing assembly 100. In the illustrative embodiment, the membrane switch pad with the actuation button 150 has four functions that may include: (i) dispense wipe by depressing button 150, (ii) low battery indicator 164 (see e.g., indicator light 164 in
In one or more embodiments, when the drive motor 160 is activated by the control circuit in the control board, the drive motor 160 rotates the gear box components, which in turn, rotates the drive gear. Rotation of the drive gear causes the active roller 190 to rotate a corresponding rotational distance. This rotation of the active roller 190 causes the sheet of the rolled or stacked paper product 101 extending from the slot 126 to move outwardly from the housing 104. In this manner, sheets of the paper product 101 are dispensed one at a time from the cartridge 180. Compression of the paper product 101 between the active roller 190 and the passive roller 192 keeps the paper product 101 from retracting back into the cartridge 180 between depressions of the actuation button 150. Upon depletion of the paper product 101, the cartridge 180 may be removed from the housing 104 as described herein for refilling or disposal (see
In one or more alternative embodiments, rather than the actuation button 150 being in a form of a microswitch on a membrane switch pad, the actuation button 150 may be a single electromechanical actuation button where the pressing of the actuation button by the user depresses a microswitch which, in turn, powers up the electric motor 160, and thereby moves the active roller 190.
In a second illustrative embodiment, with reference to
In the second illustrative embodiment, with reference again to
In the second illustrative embodiment, rather than being powered by the disposable batteries 168, the direct drive motor 160 of the dispensing assembly 100′ is electrically powered by a rechargeable battery pack 166, which is located in the end cap 178 of the housing 104 (see
In the second illustrative embodiment, as shown in
In the second illustrative embodiment, rather than being provided with rollers 190, 192 having the tongue and groove arrangement described above for the first illustrative embodiment, the active roller 190′ and the passive roller 192′ are in a form of gear drive rollers (see
In one or more embodiments, the dispensing assembly 100 may further comprise an encoder on the electric motor to measure the number of revolutions of the active roller 190. The encoder then stops the motor from rotating so as to result in the single sheet (e.g., wet wipe) being positioned correctly, thereby allowing the detachment of the sheet (e.g., wet wipe) for use. Based on the length of the sheet (e.g., wet wipe), the number of revolutions of the active roller 190 can be controlled by the encoder.
Now, with reference to
Referring again to
In the third illustrative embodiment, the dispensing assembly 200 may incorporate many of the features described above in conjunction with the exploded view depicted in
A dispensing assembly in accordance with the present disclosure provides a number of advantages over known combination dispensers. For example, attachment of the dispensing assembly to a fixed substrate such as a wall-mounted, toilet tissue holder places the personal wipes within easy reach for use in combination with dry paper products such as a conventional toilet tissue roll. There is generally no need to install an additional or specific holder especially for the dispensing assembly, as the housing can typically be installed on an existing holder. There is also generally no need to modify the existing holder, the wall, or any other adjacent structure to accommodate the dispensing assembly. The compact housing hangs below the fixed substrate to take advantage of unused space, while allowing unencumbered access to the dry paper products positioned above the compartment that receives the cartridge. The cartridge may accommodate a variety of different rolled and stacked wet paper products and provides for easy installation and removal by a consumer. The cartridge helps to prevent moisture loss in the case of a pre-wetted paper product by enclosure of the paper product on all sides and formation of a seal between the active and passive rollers near the slot from which the paper product is dispensed. The cartridge may be reusable and/or refillable, and the housing and cartridge may be recycled at the end of their life cycles.
Any of the features or attributes of the above described embodiments and variations can be used in combination with any of the other features and attributes of the above described embodiments and variations as desired.
Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/312,041, entitled “Dispensing Assembly For Paper Products”, filed on Feb. 20, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/392,240, entitled “Dispensing Assembly For Paper Products”, filed on Jul. 26, 2022, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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63392240 | Jul 2022 | US | |
63312041 | Feb 2022 | US |