WET WIPE WALL MOUNT DISPENSER

Abstract

A wet wipe dispenser for serially dispensing wet wipes includes a tub assembly including a tub and a tub cover having a restricted wet wipe passageway, a mounting bracket, and a support structure hingedly mounted on the bracket for supporting the tub cover and tub allowing manual access through the support structure to a topmost wipe extending through the restricted wet wipe passageway.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the field of dispensing and more particularly to dispensers for serially dispensing wet wipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wet wipe, also known as a wet towel or a moist towelette, is a small moistened piece of paper or cloth that often comes folded. Wet wipes are used for cleaning purposes such as for personal hygiene or household cleaning among other usages.

It is known in the prior art to individually wrap wet wipes for convenience. It is also known to provide dispensers holding a plurality of wound serially connected wet wipes or stacked wet wipes individually dispensing the wet wipes serially through an opening formed in the dispenser.

The following patent documents are believed to be representative of the current state of the prior art in this field: U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,053, issued Jul. 15, 2014, U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,479, issued Oct. 19, 1976, U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,436, issued Dec. 13, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,987, issued Nov. 28, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,001, issued May 14, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,971, issued Feb. 10, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,353, issued Feb. 17, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,614, issued Dec. 12, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,435, issued Apr. 24, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,037, issued Oct. 21, 2003, U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,250, issued May 31, 2005, U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,643, issued Sep. 27, 2005, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. U.S. 2005/0067313, published Mar. 31, 2005 and U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. U.S. 2006/0157496, published Jul. 20, 2006.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The wet wipe wall mount dispenser of the present invention includes a wall mounting bracket on which a support lid assembly is pivotally mounted. A tub assembly including a tub for holding wet wipes and a tub cover is connected to the support lid assembly by interlock structure.

Other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a first embodiment of wet wipe wall mount dispenser constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention including a wall mounting bracket, support lid assembly on the wall mounting bracket and a tub assembly prior to connection to the support lid assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled wet wipe wall mount dispenser of the first embodiment with a lid component open;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the first embodiment with the lid component in closed position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support lid assembly connected to the mounting bracket but with the tub assembly removed therefrom, the two component fold down lid of the support lid assembly extending downwardly relative to the mounting bracket and in a compact non-use position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view illustrating the underside of a primary lid component of the support lid assembly and interlock tabs incorporated therein;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating the two lid components of the support lid assembly prior to connection with the wall mounting bracket;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, top plan view showing slots formed in the tub cover of the tub assembly and an interlocking relationship between the tub cover and interlock tabs of the support lid assembly;

FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of structural components of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment with a tub assembly lid in open position;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment with the tub assembly lid closed;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, perspective view of the second embodiment showing the support lid assembly in non-use position;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view of the support lid assembly of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the structural components of the support lid assembly of the third embodiment in collapsed condition and not illustrating a support base;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the structural components of the support lid assembly of the third embodiment in collapsed condition and illustrating a support base;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view illustrating the undersides of a tub cover and the support lid assembly of the third embodiment;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view illustrating the support lid assembly of the third embodiment supported by a mounting bracket and projecting horizontally from the mounting bracket, a secondary lid component of the support lid assembly in closed condition relative to a primary lid component;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but showing the secondary lid component in open condition; and

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but illustrating a support base being employed to support a tub.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a first embodiment of wet wipe wall mount dispenser constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated.

The dispenser includes a wall mounting bracket 10, a support lid assembly 12 and a tub assembly 14. The tub assembly 14 includes a tub 16 for holding serially connected wet wipes in wound condition and a tub cover 18 having a tethered removable tub cover lid 19. Tub cover 18 defines an opening 20 in communication with the tub interior receiving the tub cover lid 19. A restrictor plate or sheet 22 (FIG. 7) partially covers the opening 20 and defines a restricted wet wipe passageway 24 through which a topmost wipe is pulled and separated from the wipe stack in known fashion. FIG. 1 shows a wet wipe 26 projecting from the tub cover opening.

The tub cover 18 (see FIG. 7) has three slots 28 formed therein which form part of an interlock system of the wet wipe wall mount dispenser. FIG. 7 also shows ramps 31.

The support lid assembly 12 incorporates two components—a primary lid component 30 and a secondary lid component 32. Ramps 33 (see FIG. 5) on primary lid component 30 cooperate with ramps 31 to help push the tub assembly 14 away from the support lid assembly. The primary lid component incorporates stub shafts 36 which fit into two elongated slots 38 formed in flanges 40 of the wall mounting bracket. Interlock tabs 29 forming the interlock system along with slots 28 project downwardly from the top of the primary lid component 30. The secondary lid component incorporates flanges 42 defining apertures which also receive stub shafts 36. Thus, the secondary lid component is pivotally movable relative to the primary lid component (and relative to the wall mounted bracket) between an open condition (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and a closed position shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows the secondary lid component in closed condition relative to the primary lid component and, in the absence of the tub assembly, extending downwardly to form a compact configuration with the wall mounting bracket.

When connecting the tub assembly to the support lid assembly, the tub cover lid 19 is folded backward out of the way (see FIG. 3) prior to engaging the interlock structure previously described.

The wall mounting bracket 10 includes protrusion 48 having a jam contact surface and a lower protrusion 49. The primary lid component 30 has a locking rib 50, the latter being located below slots 38 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). These structural elements cooperate to provide a hinge stop to hold the support lid assembly 90 degrees to the wall for easier installation of the tub. The protrusions 48, 49 and locking rib enable the secondary lid component to move between open and closed position and also the combined primary lid component and secondary lid component to move together with those components in closed relationship to the position shown in FIG. 4.

A curved rib 54 at the bottom of the wall mounting bracket is used to support the tub assembly and also to limit the load on the hinges and the hinge stop structure. It is also allows the option of not using a hinge stop, so that the support lid assembly would automatically collapse when the tub is removed. The arrangement shown requires the support lid assembly to be lifted before it can be pivoted to the collapsed position.

FIGS. 8-11 show a second embodiment of the invention including a wall mounting bracket 60, a support lid assembly 62 and a tub assembly 64. In this embodiment the support lid assembly is a band 66 having mounting stub shafts 68 positioned in elongated slots 70 of the wall mounting bracket. In this instance the tub assembly 64 is supported by the band being engaged by the tub cover 72 and the two are keyed to provide a proprietary interconnection. A female key 80 is shown in FIG. 11 and a male key 82 on tub cover is shown in FIG. 8. The tub lid 74 of the tub cover assembly that is normally used to close the top of the tub when not in use can be employed rather than utilizing a secondary lid component as is the case in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows the tub lid 74 open and FIG. 10 shows the tub lid 74 closed.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-18, a third embodiment of wet wipe wall mount dispenser constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated.

The dispenser includes a wall mounting bracket 90, a structural assembly in the form of a support lid assembly 92 and a tub assembly. The tub assembly includes a tub (not shown), which could be of any suitable type, for example a tub the same as or similar to tub 16 of the first embodiment of this invention described above, for holding serially connected wet wipes in wound condition and a tub cover 98 (shown in FIG. 15 only) which may have a tethered removable tub cover lid (not shown), for example a cover lid which may have the same as or be similar to cover lid 19 of the first embodiment. Tub cover 98 defines a restricted wet wipe passageway 100 through which a topmost wipe is pulled and separated from the wipe stack in known fashion.

The tub cover 98 (see FIG. 15) has three slots 102 formed therein which form part of an interlock system of the dispenser. The interlock system is described in more detail below.

The support lid assembly 92 incorporates two components—a primary lid component 104 and a second lid component 106. The primary lid component 104 incorporates outwardly directed stub shafts 108 which fit into two elongated slots 110 formed in flanges 112 of wall mounting bracket 90. FIG. 12 illustrates only one of the pair of slots and stub shafts.

Interlock tabs 114 forming the interlock system of the dispenser along with slots 102 are disposed at the distal end of a cylindrically shaped boss 116 attached to and projecting downwardly from the primary lid component 104. The boss is open at both ends, forming a primary lid component opening.

A physical characteristic (in this instance the shape) of one of said slots varies from the shapes of the other of said slots. The shapes of the interlock tabs also vary correspondingly whereby a keying function is provided by the slots and interlock tabs.

The secondary lid component 106 incorporates flanges 118 having outwardly directed stub shafts which go into slots 109 of the primary lid component 104, one of the slots 109 being shown in FIG. 12. Thus, the second lid component 106 is pivotally movable relative to the primary lid component and relative to the wall mounted bracket between an open condition (shown in FIG. 17) and a closed position shown in FIGS. 13-16. FIG. 13 shows the second lid component in closed condition relative to the primary lid component and, in the absence of the tub assembly, extending downwardly to form a compact configuration with the wall mounting bracket 90. The secondary lid component is continuously biased to closed position by a spring 119 which in this instance is a deformable spring strip of metal or plastic, for example, affixed to the primary lid component and bearing against the proximal end of the secondary lid component. Seal ring 120 of the secondary lid component and seal ring 122 of the primary lid component form a substantially air tight seal when the seal rings are fully engaged as shown in FIG. 16, for example.

FIG. 14 shows the support lid assembly in its compact configuration supported by a support base 130 which may optionally be employed to provide support for the tub. See FIG. 18. The upper end 132 of the base is inserted into an elongated opening 134 formed at the lower end of the wall mounting bracket and releasably attached in place by any suitable connector structure, for example a snap fit arrangement.

In this embodiment of the invention, there is no structure incorporated in the support lid assembly or bracket to releasably lock the support lid assembly in horizontal position. In the absence of a tub cover and tub being in operative position or the support lid assembly being held up manually, the support lid assembly will move under the influence of gravity to its vertical orientation. However, when a tub cover with tub are attached pivoting downward movement of the support lid assembly is prevented.

Claims

1. A wet wipe dispenser for serially dispensing wet wipes, said wet wipe dispenser comprising: a tub assembly including a tub having a tub interior for holding wet wipes and a tub cover attached to said tub and positioned over said tub interior, said tub cover defining a restricted wet wipe passageway through which a topmost wipe is separated from the remainder of the wipes in the tub interior;a wall mounting bracket;a support structure hingedly mounted on said wall mounting bracket and pivotally movable between a substantially vertical orientation wherein said support structure is substantially parallel to said wall mounting bracket and forming a compact non-use configuration therewith and a substantially horizontal orientation wherein said support structure is substantially orthogonal relative to said wall mounting bracket and forms a use configuration therewith in which said support structure is positioned to receive, engage and support said tub cover and said tub and allowing manual access to a topmost wipe and manual dispensing thereof from said tub through the restricted wet wipe passageway of said tub cover, said tub cover having a tub cover connector and said support structure having a support structure connector, said tub cover connector and said support structure connector engageable to connect said support structure and said tub cover.

2. The wet wipe dispenser of claim 1 wherein said support structure comprises a support lid assembly including a primary lid component pivotally connected to said wall mounting bracket, said primary lid component having a primary lid component opening, and a secondary lid component movably mounted on said primary lid component for movement between a closed position wherein said secondary lid component closes said primary lid component opening and an open position wherein said primary lid component opening is open and in communication with the restricted wet wipe passageway of said tub cover when said support lid assembly and said tub cover are connected by said tub cover connector and said support structure connector.

3. The wet wipe dispenser of claim 2 wherein said support structure connector includes a plurality of interlock tabs and said tub cover connector structure defines slots adjacent to said restricted wet wipe passageway receiving said interlock tabs.

4. The wet wipe dispenser of claim 3 wherein said primary lid component includes a downwardly extending cylindrically shaped boss open at both ends and forming said primary lid component opening, said interlock tabs located on said boss.

5. The wet wipe dispenser according to claim 4 wherein said boss has a distal end, said interlock tabs located at said distal end.

6. The wet wipe dispenser according to claim 2 additionally comprising a biasing structure engaging said secondary lid component to bias said secondary lid component to said closed position.

7. The wet wipe dispenser according to claim 2 wherein said primary lid component includes a primary lid component seal structure and wherein said secondary lid component includes a secondary lid component seal structure, said primary lid component seal structure and said secondary lid component seal structure forming a substantially air tight seal when said secondary lid component is in closed position.

8. The wet wipe dispenser of claim 1 additionally including a support base connectable to said wall mounting bracket for supporting the tub.

9. The wet wipe dispenser of claim 3 wherein said slots are spaced from one another and spaced outwardly from said restricted wet wipe passageway.

10. The wet wipe dispenser of claim 3 wherein a physical characteristic of at least one of said slots varies from the corresponding physical characteristic of other of said slots.

11. The wet wipe dispenser of claim 10 wherein said physical characteristic of said interlock tabs vary whereby a keying function is provided between said slots and said interlock tabs.

12. A wet wipe dispenser for serially dispensing wet wipes, said wet wipe dispenser comprising: a tub assembly including a tub having a tub interior for holding wet wipes and a tub cover attached to said tub and positioned over said tub interior, said tub cover defining a restricted wet wipe passageway through which a topmost wipe is separated from the remainder of the wipes in the tub interior;a support base for supporting said tub assembly; anda structural assembly pivotally movable relative to said support base between a substantially vertical orientation wherein said structural assembly forms a compact non-use configuration and extends toward said support base and a substantially horizontal orientation wherein said structural assembly forms a use configuration in which said structural assembly is positioned to receive and engage said tub cover and allow manual access to a topmost wipe and manual dispensing thereof from said tub through the restricted wet wipe passageway of said tub cover.