Portable Dispenser

Abstract

A portable dispenser or holder is provided. The portable dispenser includes a housing having a sheet product holder area. A bottle holding area adjacent to the sheet product holder area is also provided. The housing includes an opening that provides for dispensing the sheet product to the user. The bottle holding area includes a receptacle to receive a bottle and receptacles for holding used sheet product. A handle is mounted to the top surface of the housing to provide a convenient means for the user to carry the portable dispenser.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to device for holding and carrying articles and more specifically, to a device having a portion for holding a sheet product and an opening for holding a bottle.

Carriers or “caddies” are often used where a number of different articles are used together in the performing of a task or activity, such as cleaning for example. A number of supplies are commonly used in the cleaning of cars, trucks, windows and other areas. These items typically include one or more cleaning solutions and a paper product, such as paper towel for example. The cleaning solutions, often contained in a spray bottle, are applied to the surface to be cleaned that is then dried with the paper towels which removes the dirt or other contaminant as well as any excess cleaning solution.

Where multiple articles are needed for a task, they are often carried in a piece-meal fashion from a storage area, to the location where the activity will take place. The carrying of the articles is awkward and may involve several trips and create an inconvenience to the user. Personnel will sometimes fashion carrying devices, such as from a bucket. However, where a task must be performed in a highly visible location, a corporate office complex for example, such makeshift carrying devices may be aesthetically unpleasing. Even in other locations, the use of buckets or other similar carriers not designed for this task may not be desired since the bucket will need to be used for its intended purpose and thus not available when the personnel need it. The inefficient and ineffective use of buckets or other carriers for this task may result in a time-consuming and cumbersome task of locating an alternative carrying device or resorting to carrying the supplies piece by piece.

While existing portable dispensers are suitable for their intended purposes, there still remains a need for improvements particularly regarding carrying and storing of supplies in an attractive, integrated device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A portable dispenser is provided having a housing with a first surface. The first surface has a first, second, third and fourth walls extending from its periphery. The housing further has a second surface coupled to the first wall, the second wall and the third wall opposite the first surface. The first wall, the second wall, the third wall, the first surface and the second surface are arranged to form a generally hollow dispensing portion sized to receive a sheet product. A handle is coupled to the second surface and a first curved slot formed in the housing wherein the first curved slot is sized to receive at least a portion of the sheet product.

A portable dispenser is also provided having a first surface. A first wall, second wall, third wall and fourth wall project generally perpendicularly from the perimeter of the first surface. A second surface is coupled to the first wall, the second wall and the third wall. The first surface, the second surface, the first wall, the second wall and the third wall define a first hollow portion is sized to receive a sheet product. A second hollow portion defined by the first surface, the second wall, the third wall and the fourth wall. The second hollow portion is sized to receive a bottle. An opening is operably coupled to the first hollow portion and sized to fit at least a portion of the sheet product.

A portable dispenser is provided having a housing with a first surface and a first wall, second wall, third wall and fourth wall. Each wall extends around the perimeter of the first surface. The housing further has a second surface coupled to the first wall, the second wall and the third wall, where the second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The first surface, the second surface, the first wall, the second wall and the third wall define a sheet product holder. The first surface, the second wall, the third wall and the fourth wall define a bottle holder. A handle coupled to the second surface and an access door is coupled to the housing. The access door is arranged to provide access to the sheet product holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustration of a portable dispenser in accordance with the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustration of the portable dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view illustration of the portable dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view illustration of the portable dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustration of an alternate embodiment portable dispenser having a single receptacle;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view illustration of an alternate embodiment portable dispenser that does not have a divider wall;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view illustration of an alternate embodiment portable dispenser having two sheet dispensers;

FIG. 8 is a side plan view illustration of another alternate embodiment portable dispenser having a side sheet dispenser;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view illustration of another alternate embodiment portable dispenser having a center pull sheet dispenser;

FIG. 10 is a side plan view illustration of portable dispenser of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view illustration of an alternate embodiment portable dispenser for holding sheet product;

FIG. 12 is a side plan view illustration of the portable dispenser of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1-FIG. 4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a portable dispenser 10. The portable dispenser 10 includes a housing 12 that is arranged to include a sheet product holder 16 and a bottle holder 18. The term “sheet products” as used herein is inclusive of natural and/or synthetic cloth or paper sheets. Sheet products may include both woven and non-woven articles. There are a wide variety of nonwoven processes and they can be either wetlaid or drylaid. Some examples include hydroentagled (sometimes called spunlace), DRC (double re-creped), airlaid, spunbond, carded, paper towel, and meltblown sheet products. Further, sheet products may contain fibrous cellulosic materials that may be derived from natural sources, such as wood pulp fibers, as well as other fibrous material characterized by having hydroxyl groups attached to the polymer backbone. These include glass fibers and synthetic fibers modified with hydroxyl groups. Examples of sheet products include, but are not limited to, wipers, napkins, tissues, rolls, towels or other fibrous, film, polymer, or filamentary products.

In general sheet products are thin in comparison to their length and breadth and exhibit a relatively flat planar configuration and are flexible to permit folding, rolling, stacking, and the like. The sheet product may have perforations extending in lines across its width to separate individual sheets and facilitate separation or tearing of individual sheets from the roll at discrete intervals. Individual sheets may be sized as desired to accommodate the many uses of the sheet products. For example, perforation lines may be formed every 13 inches to define a universally sized sheet. Multiple perforation lines may be provided to allow the user to select the size of sheet depending on the particular need.

In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 12 is formed from a rigid material that provides the durability needed for being carried during use. Suitable materials may include, but are not limited to plastics, such as polypropylene, polycarbonate and polyethylene. Alternatively, materials such as cardboard, wood or metal may be used. A handle 20 is attached to the top surface 22 of the housing 12 to provide a convenient means for the user to transport the portable dispenser 10 during use.

The housing 12 includes a bottom surface 24. A front 26, rear 30 and pair of side 28 walls extend around the perimeter of the bottom surface 24 and form a generally hollow center portion. In the exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface 24 has an arcuate portion 32 located in the center of the surface. The bottom surface 24 further has flat portions 34 adjacent each corner of the lower housing that act as feet and provide stability to the portable dispenser 10 when the portable dispenser 10 placed on the floor or a table. It should be appreciated that while the front 26, side 28 and rear 30 walls of the housing 12 are shown as planar, these surfaces may be curved as well.

Alternatively, the housing 12 may be formed in two halves (e.g. an upper and lower housing) that are then connected by a snap or press fit. Alternatively, the housing halves may be mechanically connected by a hinge. A clasp located on the opposite side wall from the hinge would maintain the housing in a closed position.

The housing 12 is formed to have a hollow area that forms the sheet product holder 16. An optional first divider wall 36 extends from the top surface 22 and between the side walls 28 to separate the sheet product holder 16 from the bottle holder 18. First divider wall 36 allows the sheet products to be carried in the sheet product holder 16 without risk of the sheet product getting wet or soiled during use. A second and third divider walls 38, 40 extend between the first divider wall 36 and the front wall 26. The divider walls 38, 40, cooperate with the front wall 26 and the first divider wall 36 to form a receptacle 42 sized to receive a bottle 14, such as a cleaning solution or condiment bottle for example. Receptacle openings 44, 46 are further formed by the divider walls 38, 40, front wall 26, side walls 28 and first divider wall 36. In the exemplary embodiment, the receptacle openings 44, 46 may hold discarded or soiled sheet products.

A slot 48 is formed in the top surface 22 adjacent to the handle 20. The slot 48 extends generally parallel to the side wall 28. The slot 48 extends from the top surface 22 into the sheet product holder 16 and is sized to allow the sheet product to be dispensed from portable dispenser 10. An optional aperture sheet 50 may be mounted to the underside of the top surface 22. The aperture sheet 50 includes a narrow slit 52 that is arranged within the slot 48 opening. The slit 52 provides a snug fit that allows the sheet product to be pulled from the sheet product holder 16 without allowing the sheet product to fall back inside. The aperture sheet 50 may be made from any suitable flexible material such as an elastomer, rubber, or plastic for example. In the exemplary embodiment, the aperture sheet 50 is bonded to the underside of top surface 22. The slot 48 is curved along its length to assist in retaining the sheet product and prevents it from falling back into the sheet product holder 16.

In the exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface contains an opening 62 that is covered by an access door 54. The access door 54 is attached to the bottom surface 24 of housing 12 by a pair of hinges 56 as shown in FIG. 4. As used herein, “hinge” refers to a jointed or flexible device that connects and permits pivoting or turning of the access door 54. Hinges 56 include, but are not limited to, metal pivotable connectors, such as those used to fasten a door to frame, and living hinges. Living hinges may be constructed from plastic and formed integrally between two members. A living hinge permits pivotable movement of the access door 54 in relation to the housing 12. The access door 54 is secured in the closed position by latch 58 coupled to the bottom surface. An optional gasket (not shown) may be located between the access door 54 and the bottom surface 24 to provide a seal in the event a pre-wetted sheet product is used. An optional pair of detents 60 may be formed in the access door 54 to aid in keeping the latch 58 in a locked position during use.

Alternatively, the opening 62 may be covered by other types of doors such as a sliding door (not shown) that has channels that interlock with the bottom surface 24, or a door with clasps that snap into the opening 62 to hold the door in place. Further, the access door 54 may also be located on one of the walls 26, 28, 30 or the top surface 22.

To fill the portable dispenser 10, the user rotates the latch 58 allowing the access door 54 to be moved out of the way providing access to the sheet product holder 16. The package of sheet product is inserted into the housing 12 and the first sheet of the package is slid through the slot 48, or where applicable, the slit 52. The access door 54 is the moved back into the closed position against bottom surface 24 and secured with latch 58.

An alternate embodiment portable dispenser 10 is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the second and third divider walls 38, 40 (see FIG. 2) are eliminated providing a larger receptacle 64 adjacent the front wall 26. Further, the first divider wall 36 (see FIG. 2) may also be eliminated as in another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, leaving the sheet product holder 16 open to the receptacle 64. This embodiment may be desirable to allow a lower cost of manufacture where there is no need to protect the sheet product from liquids or dirt.

Another alternate embodiment cleaning product portable dispenser 10 is illustrated in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, a second slot 66 is formed in the top surface 22 adjacent to the handle 20 opposite the first slot 48. The inclusion of a second slot 66 provides advantages by allowing the user to have access to two different types of sheet products, one for cleaning glass and one for cleaning counters for example. Where multiple sheet products are desired, an optional divider wall (not shown) may separate the two sheet products allowing the both pre-wetted and dry sheet product to be carried simultaneously without commingling. Alternatively, the incorporation of the second slot may allow the user to double the amount of a single type of sheet product carried. A aperture sheet 50 (see FIG. 2) may also be mounted to the underside of top surface 22 and arranged to assist in holding the sheet product within the slots 48, 66.

This embodiment further has a single divider wall 68 between the first divider wall 36 and the front wall 26. The divider wall 68 forms two openings 70, 72 that are sized to fit cleaning solution bottles 14 (see FIG. 1). Having the ability to carry multiple cleaning solutions may be advantageous where different solutions are needed for different surfaces, glass and tile for example. It should be appreciated that this embodiment may also have multiple divider walls 68 as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment.

Another alternate embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, a slot 74 is formed in the side wall 28 of housing 12. The slot 74 extends through the side wall 28 and into the sheet product holder 16 (see FIG. 3). The slot 74 allows the dispensing of sheet product from the side of the portable dispenser 10 instead of the top surface 22. Similar to the embodiments described above, an aperture sheet 50 (see FIG. 2) may be mounted to the inside of wall 28 to assist in retaining the sheet product in the slot 74. This embodiment may provide advantages in allowing the top surface 22 to be used as a writing surface for example.

Another alternate embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the portable dispenser 10 includes a center pull sheet dispenser opening 76. The center pull opening 76 is arranged on the rear wall 30 of housing 12. In a center pull type arrangement, the sheet product is removed spirally from the center of a coreless roll of sheet product while the roll of sheet product lies in the sheet product holder 16 (see FIG. 3). The opening 76 may include an optional dispensing nozzle 78. The nozzle 78 has a center opening 80 extends through opening 76. A plurality of slits 82 are arranged radially around the center opening 80. As the user pulls the sheet product, the slits 82 allow the nozzle 78 to slightly expand into a tapered shape while maintaining a snug fit on the sheet product. The tapered opening frictionally restrains the sheet product as it is pulled through the nozzle 78 and the sheet product is torn off, one sheet at a time, along a line of perforations.

This embodiment further includes a pair of divider walls 84, 86 that are located between the first divider wall 36 and the front wall 26. The divider walls 84, 86 cooperate with the front wall 26, first divider wall 36 and side wall 28 to form two openings 90, 92 sized to fit cleaning bottles 14 (see FIG. 1). A receptacle 88 is formed between the divider walls 84, 86 to provide the user with a convenient storage location for used sheet product.

In some applications, it may not be necessary for the user to carry bottle or other articles other than the sheet products. This may be advantageous, for example, if the user has sheet products that are pre-wetted with a cleaning solution. In the alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the receptacles for bottle 14 (see FIG. 1) have been eliminated. This provides for a portable dispenser 10 having a housing 12 that includes a sheet product holder 16. Similar to the exemplary embodiment, an opening 62 is covered by a access door 54 to allow the insertion and removal of sheet product. A slot 48 is formed on the top surface 22 to allow the dispensing of sheet product. A handle 20 is mounted to the top surface 22 to provide a convenient means of transporting the portable dispenser 10.

The embodiments described herein provide a portable dispenser that provides an improved solution for the transportation of articles. The portable dispenser provides a single holder that contains the items. Further, the portable dispenser provides additional advantages. The sheet product is protected from contamination and kept clean and dry during use, for example. Also, it is common for janitorial staff to keep a record of when certain locations have been cleaned, a rest room as further example. The portable dispenser disclosed herein provides a convenient and reliable means for keeping records, by placing a record book in the receptacles formed by the divider walls for example. Alternatively, a recording label could be attached to the top surface providing a place for record keeping and a convenient writing surface for the user. Further, the embodiments may be used for a variety of tasks or activities that need both a carrying location and a sheet product dispenser. Such tasks and activities include, but not limited to, the carrying cleaning supplies, a restaurant caddy for carrying condiments and napkins, and a picnic basket.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, front, rear, top, bottom etc. do not denote any orientation, order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

Claims

1. A portable dispenser comprising: a housing having a first surface with a first, second, third and fourth walls extending from a periphery of said first surface;said housing further having a second surface coupled to said first wall, said second wall and said third wall opposite said first surface;said first wall, said second wall, said third wall, said first surface and said second surface being arranged to form a generally hollow dispensing portion sized to receive a sheet product;a handle coupled to said second surface; and,a first curved slot formed in said housing wherein said first curved slot is sized to receive at least a portion of the sheet product.

2. The portable dispenser of claim 1 wherein said first curved slot is on said second surface adjacent said handle.

3. The portable dispenser of claim 2 further comprising a second curved slot on said second surface, said second curved slot being arranged adjacent to said handle on a side of said handle opposite said first curved slot.

4. The portable dispenser of claim 1 wherein said first curved slot is on said second wall.

5. The portable dispenser of claim 1 further comprising: a first divider wall connected to said second surface opposite said first wall and extending between said second and third walls, wherein said divider wall, said second wall, said third wall, and said fourth wall are arranged to form a receptacle sized to receive at least one bottle.

6. The portable dispenser of claim 5 further comprising a second divider wall between said first divider wall and said fourth wall, said second divider wall being arranged to form a first and second receptacle.

7. The portable dispenser of claim 6 wherein said first and second receptacle are each sized to receive a bottle.

8. The portable dispenser of claim 1 wherein said housing further includes an access door for insertion of the sheet product into said hollow dispensing portion.

9. A portable dispenser comprising: a first surface;a first wall, second wall, third wall and fourth wall projecting generally perpendicularly from the perimeter of said first surface;a second surface coupled to said first wall, said second wall and said third wall;a first hollow portion defined by said first surface, said second surface, said first wall, said second wall and said third wall, wherein said first hollow portion is sized to receive a sheet product;a second hollow portion defined by said first surface, said second wall, said third wall and said fourth wall, wherein said second hollow portion sized to receive a bottle; and,an opening operably coupled to said first hollow portion and sized to fit at least a portion of the sheet product.

10. The portable dispenser of claim 9 further comprising a divider wall extending between said first and said second surfaces and between said second wall and said third wall, wherein said divider wall separates said first hollow portion and said second hollow portion.

11. The portable dispenser of claim 10 further comprising a handle mounted to said second surface.

12. The portable dispenser of claim 11 wherein said opening is positioned on said second surface adjacent said handle.

13. The portable dispenser of claim 11 wherein said opening is positioned on said first wall opposite said divider wall.

14. The portable dispenser of claim 11 wherein said opening is positioned on said second wall.

15. The portable dispenser of claim 14 wherein said opening is a curved slot.

16. The portable dispenser of claim 15 further comprising a second divider wall coupled between said fourth wall and said divider wall to form at least one receptacle sized to receive said bottle and at least one receptacle sized to receive said sheet product.

17. A portable dispenser comprising: a housing having a first surface and a first wall, second wall, third wall and fourth wall, each wall extending around the perimeter of said first surface, said housing having a second surface coupled to said first wall, said second wall and said third wall, said second surface disposed opposite said first surface;a sheet product holder defined by said first surface, said second surface, said first wall, said second wall and said third wall;a bottle holder defined by said first surface, said second wall, said third wall and said fourth wall;a handle coupled to said second surface; and,an access door coupled to said housing, said access door arranged to provide access to said sheet product holder.

18. The portable dispenser of claim 17 wherein said bottle holder further comprises a first and second divider wall, said first divider wall and said second divider wall cooperating with said fourth wall to form a first receptacle.

19. The portable dispenser of claim 18 wherein said first receptacle is sized to receive a bottle.

20. The portable dispenser of claim 19 wherein said first divider wall, said second wall and said fourth wall cooperate to form a second receptacle.