Pre-moistened towelette dispenser

Abstract

The pre-moistened towelette dispenser of the present invention includes a substantially sealed housing to retain moisture within the housing. A roll of pre-moistened, perforated towelettes wound about a cylindrical core is supported within the housing on an axle to allow rotation of the roll of towelettes about the axle to dispense towelettes from the roll. A nipple located in the housing provides a restricted point opening that allows towelettes to exit the housing. The nipple is preferably located in the bottom of the housing to dispense towelettes from the bottom of the housing. An adjustable roll tension system is also provided within the housing. The roll tension system preferably includes a roller that is in contact with and biased against an end cap attached to the cylindrical core at one end of the roll of towelettes. The roll tension system provides resistance to the rotation of the roll of towelettes. The roll tension system is also preferably adjustable so that the dispenser may be adjusted and adapted to accommodate perforated towelettes with different perforation characteristics and tear resistances.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of hygienic paper product dispensers and more particularly to a dispenser for housing and dispensing pre-moistened, wet towelettes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Commercial, high volume dry paper dispensers are well known. These ubiquitous dispensers are commonly found in public restrooms and typically dispense dry paper from a roll for the purpose of drying one's hands after they have been washed. Pre-moistened, wet towelettes, however, are often desirable for many applications. [0003] For example, pre-moistened towelettes are preferable for cleaning infants when a diaper is changed. Pre-moistened towelettes are also useful for cleaning hard surfaces because a cleaning solution may be saturated in the towelette itself rather than separately stored in a bottle or other dispenser. [0004] Pre-moistened towelettes may also be provided for the washing of hands and cleaning of surfaces in locations wh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] The present invention provides an inexpensive wet wipe dispenser that is simple to load and use. The hinged housing opens to provide easy access for inserting or removing a roll of pre-moistened, perforated towelettes. The pre-moistened towelettes are wound about a plastic core with an axle inserted through the core. The ends of the wound pre-moistened towelettes are covered by large end caps that prevent moisture from evaporating from the edges of the wound towelettes. The axle is inserted into axle supports attached to either side of the housing. The axle supports allow the axle, core and roll of towelettes to easily roll within the housing so that towelettes may be removed from the roll.

[0020] After inserting the axle in the axle supports, the leading edge of the towelettes is pushed through a rubber nipple at the bottom of the housing so that the first towelette extends from the bottom of the housing. The housing may then be closed and locked with a locking mechanism at the top of the housing. The housing includes rubber and foam seals that seal moisture within the housing when the housing is closed. The rubber nipple at the bottom of the housing allows the towelettes to exit the housing but also effectively seals the housing to limit the moisture that may evaporate from the housing.

Problems solved by technology

For example, investigations have revealed disturbing evidence that supermarket shopping carts are typically contaminated with harmful bacteria.

Because small children often ride in these carts and will come in contact with any previous contamination, this contamination is a significant public health concern.

However, because shopping carts are typically stored and picked up in areas where there is no running water or cleaning solutions, shoppers rarely have the opportunity to clean a shopping cart before use.

There are many obstacles, however, to the use of pre-moistened towelette dispensers.

First, the pre-moistened towelettes must be stored and maintained in a moist condition over a long period of time, often several weeks or months.

Housings that dispense towels with a hand crank or pull lever are undesirable because a person seeking a towelette must touch the crank or lever.

Even though a person may be about to wash his or her hands with the moist towelette, the person often does not want to touch the dispenser itself because of unknown contamination on the dispenser.

Many individuals, however, will carelessly take a greater length of towelette than is actually needed, leading to waste of the product.

Additional design challenges are presented, however, when using perforated towelettes.

These machines, although apparently suitable for their advanced purposes, are overly complex and include motors, controls, sensors and other electronic components.

Thus, these machines do not provide a simple and economical solution to the need for the widespread public availability of wet towelette dispensers and have not found widespread acceptance in public areas.

These dispensers, however, also fail to provide a dispenser as simple to operate and economical to manufacture as the invention disclosed herein.

These dispensers are not easily adaptable for dispensing different paper products, such as towelettes of a different width or with different perforation characteristics and tear resistance.

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