Patent Application
20210289995
The present invention relates to soap dispensers. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a soap sheet dispenser that dispenses an individual soap sheet upon activation of a motion sensor to minimize contact with potentially unsanitary surfaces.
Many public restrooms utilize communal soap dispensers to provide soap for hand washing purposes. Typically, the soap is provided in pump dispenser to dispense liquid or foaming soap to a user. However, such soaps can spill, leak, or otherwise cause a mess on the sink countertop, requiring frequent cleaning to avoid undesirable appearances. Furthermore, refiling such soap dispensers can lead to further spills and may be cumbersome or frustrating to refill regularly.
Additionally, particularly with increased hygiene awareness to combat the spread of communicable diseases, many individuals may be averse to utilizing communal items, such as soap dispensers. In some cases, motion activated liquid soap dispensers are provided to minimize user contact with communal items, however, such soap dispensers may be difficult to maintain. Often, such cautious individuals prefer systems that require no personal interaction with objects that are not disposable or individualized, such as paper towels. Therefore, a dispenser that can provide individuals sheets impregnated with soap to users upon activation of a motion sensor is desired.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing soap dispensers. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of soap dispensers now present in the known art, the present invention provides a soap sheet dispenser wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when retrieving an individual sanitizing sheet with minimal contact.
The present system comprises a housing having a rear wall, a perimeter sidewall, and an open front end defining an interior volume. A door is hingedly affixed to the perimeter sidewall, wherein the door is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position the door encloses the interior volume. A dispenser cartridge is removably securable within the interior volume. A plurality of sheets impregnated with a soap is removably securable within the dispenser cartridge in a stacked configuration. A slot is disposed through a lower end of the dispenser cartridge, wherein one of the plurality of sheets is dispensed through the slot upon activation of a motion sensor disposed on the door. In some embodiments, at least one fastener is disposed on an exterior surface of the rear wall, the fastener configured to removably secure the housing to a wall surface.
In some embodiments, a gap is defined between a lower edge of the door and the perimeter sidewall, the gap dimensioned to receive one of the plurality of sheets therethrough. In another embodiment, a lock is disposed on the housing, wherein the lock selectively retains the door in a closed position. In other embodiments, the door further comprises a transparent panel therein. In yet another embodiment, the dispenser cartridge further comprises a window through a front side thereof, the window comprising a width less than that of each of the plurality of sheets. In some embodiments, a spring loading mechanism is disposed within the dispenser cartridge, wherein the spring loading mechanism is configured to compact the plurality of sheets towards the slot. In another embodiment, the spring loading mechanism comprises a plate affixed to a spring, wherein the plate rests against an uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets. In other embodiments, a motor is operably connected to the motion sensor, wherein the motor is configured to actuate to dispense a sheet of the plurality of sheets when the motion sensor is activated. In yet another embodiment, the motor is operably connected to at least one roller disposed within the dispenser cartridge, whereupon actuation of the motor the roller rotates to dispense a lowermost sheet within the plurality of sheets. In some embodiments, each adjacent sheet of the plurality of sheets in interwoven in the stacked configuration, such that upon dispensing a sheet of plurality of sheets, an adjacent sheet is primed for dispensing through the slot.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the soap sheet dispenser. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
The dispenser cartridge 18 is removably securable within the housing 12, such that the user can remove the dispenser cartridge 18 for refilling when the plurality of sheets 19 are depleted. The plurality of sheets 19 are stored within the dispenser cartridge 18 in a stacked configuration to facilitate dispensing a single sheet at a time. The plurality of sheets 19 are impregnated with a cleansing material, such as soap or hand sanitizer, to allow a user to readily clean their hands. In some embodiments, the plurality of sheets 19 comprise a stabilized cleansing material in a sheet format such that the plurality of sheets 19 are dissolvable upon contact with water. In this way, waste can be minimized. In alternate embodiments, the soap impregnated within the plurality of sheets 19 is dissolvable within water, such as a dry soap activated by contact with water, such that the shelf life of the plurality of sheets 19 is maximized. In this way, the dispenser cartridge 18 does not require frequent refilling absent regular use. In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser cartridge 18 further comprises a slot 21 disposed through a lower end 22 thereof, wherein the slot 21 is dimensioned receive a single sheet of the plurality of sheets 19 therethrough. In the shown embodiment, a window 28 is disposed through a front side (as shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
In the shown embodiment, the dispenser cartridge 18 further comprises a spring mechanism having a plate 31 affixed to one or more springs 32 attached to an upper end of the dispenser cartridge 18. The plate 31 is configured to provide even pressure to an uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets 19 to drive the plurality of sheets 19 towards the rollers 34 and the slot 21. In this manner, the plate 31 exerts sufficient pressure against the plurality of sheets 19 to ensure that the lowermost sheet is engaged with the roller 34. Once the plurality of sheets 19 are depleted, the user can insert additional sheets 19 via the window 28 within the front side 29 of the dispenser cartridge 18. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the upper end of the dispenser cartridge 18 can be removed to insert additional sheets 19 into the interior of the dispenser cartridge 18.
Referring now to
In one use, the housing 12 can be installed on a wall surface via the fasteners 35 or rested on a countertop or stand. A user can wave a hand in front of the motion sensor or actuate a manual control to actuate the motor within the dispenser cartridge to dispense a sheet of the plurality of sheets through the slot and gap. Once the sheet is retrieved, the user can spread the soap impregnated within the plurality of sheets over their hands before rinsing their hands in a nearby sink. Alternatively, in embodiments utilizing an impregnated hand sanitizer, the user can avoid utilizing a sink entirely. In this way, the user can minimize the amount of contact with communal objects, thereby reducing the risk of contracting various pathogens. Once finished, the user can throw the depleted sheet away, or in some embodiments, the sheet is configured to dissolve when contacting water to minimize waste. When the dispenser cartridge is depleted, the user can open the housing 12 and refill the dispenser cartridge with additional sheets.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/991,819 filed on Mar. 19, 2020. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62991819 | Mar 2020 | US |
