HAND TOWEL DISPENSER

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hand towel dispenser. The hand towel dispenser comprises: an opening for accessing hand towels stored in the dispenser: an inner surface extending from the opening, wherein the inner surface defines an internal cavity within the dispenser for storing hand towels, and wherein the inner surface is substantially free from surface undulations such that the cavity comprises substantially no ligature points: and a plurality of flexible tabs located at the opening, the tabs arranged to retain hand towels within the cavity.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a hand towel dispenser for preventing self-harm.

BACKGROUND

Hand towel dispensers are known. A typical hand towel dispenser comprises an internal cavity for storing hand towels, and an opening in an underside of the dispenser for accessing hand towels stored in the internal cavity. By providing the opening in the underside of the dispenser, hand towels are protected from water and other fluids. Hygiene is thereby improved. However, when the opening is provided in the underside of a hand towel dispenser, a retaining mechanism is required at the opening for retaining hand towels within the internal cavity, while simultaneously enabling removal of individual hand towels from the cavity. Additionally, or alternatively, the cavity itself includes an arrangement of surface undulations configured to retain hand towels in the cavity. Many hand towel dispensers also include complex hand towel dispensing mechanisms within the internal cavity.

A problem with such hand towel dispensers, is that they necessarily include protrusions, indentations, and/or constrictions, from which one can secure a ligature. Therefore, such hand towel dispensers cannot be safely used in prisons or psychiatric hospitals, because they introduce a risk of patient or inmate self-harm.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure addresses at least some of the problems noted above.

In a first aspect, there is provided a hand towel dispenser comprising:

• • an opening for accessing hand towels stored in the dispenser;
  • an inner surface extending from the opening, wherein the inner surface defines an internal cavity within the dispenser for storing hand towels, and wherein the inner surface is substantially free from surface undulations (e.g. free from surface protrusions) such that the cavity comprises substantially no ligature points (e.g. no ligature points); and
  • a plurality of flexible tabs located at the opening, the tabs arranged to retain hand towels within the cavity.

Because the inner surface is free from surface undulations, ligature points which are present in prior art dispensers, are eliminated. The dispenser therefore improves patient safety. Herein, a surface undulation is defined as a surface protrusion, indentation, or constriction; e.g. a surface protrusion, indentation, or constriction which could be used as an anchor point from which to secure a ligature. For example, the inner surface may be smooth and/or flat.

Additionally, because the tabs arranged to retain the hand towels within the cavity are flexible, they do not provide stable ligature points. The dispenser therefore improves patient safety. The tabs may be sufficiently rigid to retain hand towels within the cavity, and sufficiently flexible that they would bend out of shape if a substantial weight (e.g. the weight of a human) were to be suspended from a ligature secured thereto. The flexible tabs may each have a flexural modulus of at least 0.001 GPa, for example at least 0.01 GPa, for example at least 0.05 GPa. In some examples, the flexible tabs may have a flexural modulus of at least 0.1 GPa, for example at least 0.25 GPa. The flexible tabs may each have a flexural modulus of at most 5 GPa, for example at most 2 GPa. In some examples, the flexible tabs may each have a flexural modulus of at most 1 GPa, for example at most 0.5 GPa. The tabs may each have a thickness of at least 1 mm, for example at least 2 mm. The tabs may each have a thickness of at most 4 mm, for example at most 3 mm. The tabs may each project into the opening by a distance of at least 15 mm, for example at least 20 mm. The tabs may each extend into the opening by a distance of at most 25 mm, for example at most 20 mm.

The tabs may be made of silicone rubber.

In the present disclosure, a ligature point is defined as any surface feature (e.g. protrusion, indentation, or constriction) which could be used as an anchor point from which a ligature could be secured, for example by tying or wedging of the ligature. A stable ligature point is defined as a ligature point which does not deform when a substantial weight (such as the weight of a human) is suspended from a ligature anchored thereto.

In a second aspect, there is provided a hand towel dispenser comprising:

• • an opening for accessing hand towels stored in the dispenser;
  • an inner surface extending from the opening, wherein the inner surface defines an internal cavity within the dispenser for storing hand towels, wherein the inner surface comprises an end surface defining a distal end of the cavity from the opening, and wherein the inner surface is arranged such that an inner dimension of the cavity is largest at the opening and tapers towards the end surface; and
  • a plurality of flexible tabs located at the opening, the tabs arranged to retain hand towels within the cavity.

Because the inner dimension of the cavity tapers towards the end surface, it is not possible to wedge a ligature between opposing surfaces of the cavity so as to create a stable ligature point. As soon as a weight is suspended from a ligature secured in this way, the ligature would immediately be pulled free due to the taper, which opens up towards the opening. The dispenser therefore improves patient safety.

In a third aspect, there is provided a hand towel dispenser comprising:

• • a substantially rectangular opening for accessing hand towels stored in the dispenser;
  • an inner surface extending from the opening, wherein the inner surface defines an internal cavity within the dispenser for storing hand towels, and comprises an end-surface distal from the opening, and four planar side surfaces each extending from a respective edge of the opening; and
  • a plurality of flexible tabs located at the opening, the tabs arranged to retain hand towels within the cavity. Each pair of opposing side surfaces may be parallel to one another. In another example, each pair of opposing side surfaces may be arranged such that their separation is greatest at the opening. That is, the inner dimension(s) of the cavity may be greatest at the opening, and may taper towards the end surface.

Because of the above arrangement of the inner surface, no protrusions, indentations, or constrictions from which a ligature could be anchored, are present in the internal cavity. It is therefore not possible to wedge a ligature between opposing surfaces of the cavity so as to create a stable ligature point. As soon as a force is applied to a ligature secured in this way, the ligature would immediately be pulled free due to the lack of protrusions, indentations and constrictions. The dispenser therefore improves patient safety.

Optional features of the first, second, and third aspects will now be described. Unless otherwise stated, each optional feature below is equally applicable to each of the first, second, and third aspects.

The inner surface of the first aspect may comprise an end surface defining a distal end of the cavity from the opening. In the first and third aspects, the inner surface may be arranged such that an inner dimension of the cavity is largest at the opening and tapers towards the end surface. For example, in any of the above aspects, the inner surface may be arranged such that the inner dimension of the cavity monotonically increases from the end surface to the opening.

In some examples, the inner surface may be arranged such that each inner dimension of the cavity is largest at the opening and tapers towards the end surface. For example, the inner surface may be arranged such that each inner dimension of the cavity monotonically increases from the end surface to the opening. For example, where the opening is generally square or rectangular, and the inner surface therefore comprises four side surfaces, each of which extends from a respective edge of the opening, each pair of opposing side surfaces may taper towards the end surface.

An inner dimension of the opening may be at least as large as a corresponding adjacent inner dimension of the cavity. For example, each inner dimension of the opening may be at least as large as a corresponding adjacent inner dimension of the cavity. In other words, the opening may be arranged so that it does not constrict the entry to the internal cavity. For example, where the opening is generally square or generally rectangular, the separation between the opposing edges of the opening may be the same as or greater than the separation between the corresponding opposing sides of the inner surface.

As mentioned above, the opening may be generally square (e.g. square) in shape. Alternatively, the opening may be generally rectangular (e.g. rectangular) in shape. Herein, a “generally square” or “generally rectangular” shape may be defined as a square or rectangular shape in which the opposing sides appear, to the naked eye, to be essentially parallel. As the reader will understand, some deviation from parallel is permitted, provided that the shape of the opening approximately matches the folded shape of the hand towels to be dispensed. Provided that this requirement is met, then the function of enabling dispensing of the hand towels through the opening may be achieved. A generally square or generally rectangular shape may also have rounded corners.

The cavity may have a cross-sectional shape (as viewed perpendicular to the plane defined by the opening) which matches that of the opening. That is, the cavity may have a generally square cross-section, or a generally rectangular cross-section. The end surface of the inner surface (which defines an end of the internal cavity distal from the opening) may have the same shape as the opening.

The inner surface may comprise four planar side surfaces, and a planar end surface at a distal end of the internal cavity from the opening. Each planar side surface may extend from a respective edge of the opening. Each planar side surface may extend between the opening and the end surface. The end surface may be oriented parallel with the opening. Each pair of opposing side surfaces may be parallel to one another. In another example, each pair of opposing side surfaces may be arranged such that their separation is greatest at the opening. That is, the inner dimension(s) of the cavity may be greatest at the opening, and may taper towards the end surface. The area of the end surface may thus be smaller than the area of the opening.

The plurality of flexible tabs may comprise at least two tabs which are located at opposite sides of the opening from one another. For example, the plurality of tabs may comprise two tabs located along a first long edge of the opening, and two tabs located along an opposing second long edge of the opening. The two tabs located along the first long edge may be separated from one another by a first distance. The two tabs located along the second long edge may be separated from one another by a second distance that is shorter than the first distance. The two tabs located along the first long edge may be equally spaced from a midpoint thereof. The two tabs located along the second long edge may be equally spaced from a midpoint thereof.

Each of the plurality of tabs may be attached to the dispenser at the opening, and may extend inwards from the opening so as to be arranged to retain hand towels within the cavity.

Each of the tabs may form an acute angle with respect to the inner surface, for example an angle of between 60 and 85 degrees with respect to the inner surface. That is, each of the tabs may form an acute angle with respect to the respective side surface to which it is adjacent.

Each of the plurality of tabs may be tapered. For example, the portion of each of the tabs which extends inwards from the opening may be tapered. Each of the plurality of tabs may also be rounded.

The dispenser may comprise a planar external surface for attachment to a wall. Where the opening is rectangular, the long edges of the opening may be oriented parallel with the planar external surface.

The dispenser may be of hollow construction. For example, it may be formed by rotational moulding.

An upper outer surface of the dispenser may be located on an opposite side of the dispenser from the opening. The upper outer surface may be sloped. The external upper surface may slope downwards from the planar surface.

The outer surface of the dispenser may be continuous, such that the dispenser comprises only a single opening as described above.

The dispenser may include no moving parts.

The body of the dispenser may comprise a single unitary part to which the flexible tabs are affixed. In some examples, the dispenser may consist of a single unitary part, to which the flexible tabs are affixed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will now be described in more detail, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a hand towel dispenser according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows the hand towel dispenser according to FIG. 1, with a ligature secured thereto;

FIG. 3 shows a first cross-sectional view of a hand towel dispenser according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a second cross-sectional view of the hand towel dispenser of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the hand towel dispenser of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the hand dowel dispenser of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the hand towel dispenser of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a hand towel dispenser formed from sheet metal parts according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows a membrane for forming flexible tabs according to an example of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 shows an attachment plate for attaching the membrane of FIG. 9 to a hand towel dispenser according to the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals are used for like features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a hand towel dispenser 100 according to the prior art. The hand towel dispenser includes an outer surface 102, and an inner surface 104. The inner surface 104 comprises an end surface 104a, side-surfaces 104b, and entry surfaces 104c. Collectively, the inner surface 104 defines an internal cavity 106 of the hand towel dispenser 100. The internal cavity 106 is for storing hand towels (not shown), for example paper hand towels. An opening 108 to the cavity 106 is located adjacent the entry surfaces 104c, and provides access to the cavity 106 for removing individual hand towels from the cavity. In order to retain hand towels within the cavity 106, while simultaneously enabling their individual removal, the entry surfaces 104c are sloped so as to provide a constriction at the opening 108. Accordingly, the size of the opening is larger than the size of the cavity.

While the arrangement shown in the schematic of FIG. 2 is useful for retaining hand towels while simultaneously allowing them to be dispensed individually, it has been found that it introduces a ligature risk. As shown in FIG. 2, a ligature can be anchored against the entry surfaces 104c of the cavity, by wedging an object 110, to which a ligature 112 is attached, between the entry surfaces 104c. Because of the constriction provided by the slope of the entry surfaces 104c, the object 110 is securely wedged, and thus provides a stable ligature point. Therefore, there's a substantial risk of self-harm. Such a dispenser therefore is not safe for use in prisons or psychiatric hospitals.

As the reader will understand, the example of FIGS. 1 and 2 is only a simplified schematic. In practice, hand towel dispensers often have far more complex retaining means and/or dispensing mechanisms than the one illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The more complex the arrangement, the higher the ligature risk, because increased complexity in turn introduces additional ligature points. It will also be noted by the reader that the constriction shown in FIG. 1 may be more pronounced than in some prior art hand towel dispensers. This is for illustrative purposes. Less severe constrictions or surface features than those shown in FIG. 1 can also be used as stable ligature points.

FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show a first a cross-sectional view, and a perpendicular second cross-sectional view, of a hand towel dispenser 200 according to the present disclosure. The hand towel dispenser comprises an outer surface 202, and an inner surface 204. The inner surface 204 comprises an end surface 204a; and four side surfaces 204b, 204c, 204d, 204e. The side surfaces 204b, 204c, 204d, 204e terminate at one end at the end surface 204a, and at the other end at an opening 208. Collectively, the surfaces 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, 204e define an internal cavity 206 for receiving and storing hand towels. The end surface 204a is at a distal end of the cavity 206 from the opening 208.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the side surfaces 204b, 204c, 204d, 204e is flat. The side surfaces include no surface undulations. The end surface 204a is also planar, and also includes no surface undulations. Additionally, the opposing planar side surfaces 204b, 204c taper slightly from the opening 208 and towards the end surface 204a. Similarly, the opposing planar side surfaces 204d, 204e taper slightly from the opening and towards the end surface 204a. Therefore, in both the internal dimension of the cavity 206 in direction A (that is, the separation between the opposing side surfaces 204b, 204c, as illustrated on FIG. 3), and the internal dimension of the cavity 206 in direction B (that is, the separation between the opposing side surfaces 204d, 204e, as illustrated on FIG. 4), increase monotonically towards the opening 208.

Finally, it will be noted that the opening 208 can be considered as comprising an inner opening 208a and an outer opening 208b. Both the inner opening 208a, which is immediately adjacent the side surfaces 204b, 204c, 204d, 204e is of the same size as the cavity in both directions A and B. Furthermore, the outer opening 208b is larger than the inner opening 208a, both in directions A and B.

Accordingly, no constrictions are present at the opening 208, and furthermore no constrictions are present in the internal cavity 206. No ligature points are present. Any attempt to secure a ligature within the cavity 206 or to the opening 208 will be unstable. As soon as any weight is suspended from such a ligature, the ligature will be pulled free due to the above-described arrangement of the opening 208 and of the internal cavity 206.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface 202 includes a front surface 202a, a top surface 202b, and a rear surface 202c. Side surfaces 202d, 202e are shown in FIG. 4. The rear surface 202c is planar, and is configured for attachment to a wall. In the depicted example, the rear surface 202c is attached to a back-plate 203, which in turn attaches to a wall (not shown) by screws 214. The top surface 202b slopes downwards from the rear surface 202c. This also helps to remove ligature points, because a ligature looped over the top of the dispenser 200 would slide off. The side surfaces 202d, 202e taper from the rear surface 202c towards the front surface 202a. This too helps to reduce ligature points.

In order to retain hand towels (e.g. paper hand towels) within the cavity, while ensuring that the hand towels can be individually removed (dispensed) therefrom, a plurality of flexible tabs 212 are located at the opening. The flexible tabs 212 form an acute angle with respect to the side surfaces 204b, 204c. This improves paper towel retention, while still enabling paper towels to be individually dispensed. It also makes it easier to fill the dispenser 200 with paper towels via the opening, because the tabs 212 are oriented to point slightly inwards towards the cavity 206. The tabs 212 are described in more detail below, with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the hand towel dispenser 200. As can be seen from this view, the front surface 202a has a curved profile. The side surfaces 202d, 202e are also sloped, such that they taper from the rear surface 202c to the front surface 202a. These geometries again help to eliminate ligature points. The opening 208 is rectangular.

As shown in FIG. 5, the hand towel dispenser 200 includes four flexible tabs 212. Two tabs are located along the first long edge 204b of the opening 208; and two tabs 212 are located along the second long edge 204c of the opening 208. The two tabs 212 arranged along the first long edge 204b are slightly closer to one another than the two tabs 212 arranged along the second long edge 204c. Each pair of tabs is centred about a midpoint of the edge along which the tabs are arranged. As shown, each tab 212 is mounted just outside the perimeter of the opening, and extends within the perimeter of the opening. Each tab 212 is tapered, such that the portion of the tab which extends within the perimeter of the opening is tapered. The distal end of each tab 212 is also rounded. The attachment means between the tabs 212 and the main body of the dispenser 200 is described below. As the reader will understand, more than four tabs 212 may be used in some examples.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the hand towel dispenser 200. The overall external profile of the hand towel dispenser 200 can be seen, including the sloped top surface 202b. As can also be seen, the outer surface is completely free from openings, apertures, or surface features which could be used as ligature points. There is also no lid or door for filling the hand towel dispenser 200 with paper towels. This is because the hand towel dispenser is refillable via the opening 208 (not shown in FIG. 6). Therefore, no other openings are needed. Again, these characteristics help to ensure that no ligature points are provided.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the hand towel dispenser 200. Each exploded part shown is a unitary part. That is, each part shown comprises a single unitary piece. Notably, the main body 201 of the dispenser 200 is a single unitary piece. Moreover, the main body 201 is a hollow unitary piece, having a sealed internal chamber 222 defined between the outer surface 202 and the inner surface 204. In one example, it is plastic, and is formed by rotational moulding. Therefore, the dispenser may be formed of a thermoplastic.

As shown, each of the flexible tabs 212 is attached to the main body 201 using an attachment block 216 and a screw 218. Each screw 218 secures the attachment block 216 and the flexible tab 212 to the main body 201, while the attachment block 216 ensures that the attachment is stable, such that the tab 212 is securely fastened in place. Each attachment block 216 is configured to sit flush with the main body 201 when assembled, such that the attachment creates no ligature points.

The back plate 203 may be formed of aluminium. Alternatively, it may be formed from a polymer material. The back plate 203 is attached to the main body 201 by grub screws 220. The back plate 203 is then in turn attached to a wall (not shown) using screws 214.

The flexible tabs are formed of silicone rubber, having a thickness of 2-3 mm, and extending into the opening by a distance of 20-25 mm. However, the reader will understand that strict adherence to these values is not necessarily required. A different flexible material could be used, and the dimensions could be altered slightly as will be understood.

Above, the hand towel dispenser has been described as being formed of plastic, by rotational moulding. In a further embodiment, the hand towel dispenser may be formed from sheet metal. FIG. 8 shows a hand towel dispenser 800 formed from sheet metal. FIG. 8 is shown in an exploded view, to show the constituent sheet metal parts. As shown, a first sheet part 802 and a second sheet part 804 collectively form the internal cavity 206 of the hand towel dispenser 800 when assembled. In this example, however, there may be no taper from the opening 208 to the end surface 204a. A third sheet part 806 forms the outer surface 202, and a lower plate sheet 808 forms a lower surface of the hand towel dispenser 800 and defines the opening 208. A backplate 810 (also a sheet part) is attached to the third sheet part 806 to form a rear of the hand towel dispenser 800. Backplate 810 includes apertures 812 for attachment to a wall. The sheet parts 802, 804, 806, 808, 810 may be cut from a sheet, for example by die cutting. Sheet parts 802, 804 and 806 are then bent into shape to form the sheet parts 802, 804, 806 shown in FIG. 8. The metal used may be aluminium. In other examples, it may be steel.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative construction for the flexible tabs 212. As shown in FIG. 9, rather than being discrete parts as described above, the flexible tabs 212 may be part of a single membrane part 900 having an opening 208, the tabs 212 being integrally formed with the membrane and arranged to project into the opening 208. The membrane 900 may be secured to the lower surface of the paper towel dispenser by a lower attachment plate, such as attachment plate 1000 as shown in FIG. 10. That is, the membrane 900 may be sandwiched between the lower surface of the paper towel dispenser and the attachment plate 1000. The membrane 900 may be formed of an elastomeric material, for example rubber or latex.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other implementations will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to a specific example implementation, it will be recognized that the disclosure is not limited to the implementations described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration insofar as such modification(s) and alteration(s) remain within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A hand towel dispenser comprising: an opening for accessing hand towels stored in the dispenser;an inner surface extending from the opening, wherein the inner surface defines an internal cavity within the dispenser for storing hand towels, and wherein the inner surface is substantially free from surface undulations such that the cavity comprises substantially no ligature points; anda plurality of flexible tabs located at the opening, the tabs arranged to retain hand towels within the cavity.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the inner surface comprises an end surface defining a distal end of the cavity from the opening, and wherein the inner surface is arranged such that an inner dimension of the cavity is largest at the opening and tapers towards the end surface.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an inner dimension of the opening is at least as large as a corresponding adjacent inner dimension of the cavity.

4. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the inner surface is arranged such that each inner dimension of the cavity is largest at the opening and tapers towards the end surface.

5. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein each inner dimension of the opening is at least as large as a corresponding adjacent inner dimension of the cavity.

6. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of flexible tabs comprises at least two tabs which are located at opposite sides of the opening from one another.

7. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the opening is generally rectangular in shape.

8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the plurality of tabs comprises two tabs located along a first long edge of the opening, and two tabs located along an opposing second long edge of the opening.

9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the two tabs located along the first long edge are separated from one another by a first distance, and wherein the two tabs located along the second long edge are separated from one another by a second distance that is shorter than the first distance.

10. The dispenser of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the two tabs located along the first long edge are equally spaced from a midpoint thereof; and wherein the two tabs located along the second long edge are equally spaced from a midpoint thereof.

11. The dispenser of any preceding claim, comprising a planar surface for attachment to a wall.

12. The dispenser of claim 11 when dependent on claim 7, wherein the long edges of the opening are oriented substantially perpendicular to the planar surface.

13. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is of hollow construction.

14. The dispenser of any preceding claim, formed by rotational moulding.

15. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the cavity is generally rectangular in cross-section.

16. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the inner surface comprises four planar side surfaces, and a planar end surface at a distal end of the internal cavity from the opening, and wherein each planar side surface extends from a respective edge of the opening.

17. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein an upper outer surface of the dispenser that is at an opposite side of the dispenser from the opening, is sloped.

18. The dispenser of claim 17 when dependent on claim 11, wherein the upper surface sloped downwards from the planar surface.

19. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of tabs is tapered.

20. The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of tabs is rounded.