Abstract:
A dispenser housing containing a supply of dry wipe sheets dispensed individually by rotation of a motor momentarily in response to a switch for driving a portion of a leading dry wipe sheet through a slot for gripping detachment by a user engaged in a bladder evacuation occurrence, which sheet enables blotting, sanitary drying and removal of residual urine, for disposal in a toilet to avoid same from staining clothing, avoiding embarrassments and keeping floors clean and sanitary, while the rotational dwell period increases in response to dispensing by which the diameter of a supply decreases.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to dispenser apparatus for dry wipe sheets. More particularly, the present invention relates to dispenser apparatus placed in toilet facilities to provide selectively a disposable dry wipe sheet for sanitary attention to urine leakage and residual urine flow after principal evacuation of a user&#39;s bladder. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The consumption of foods, which includes substances usually of plant and animal origins and includes fluids such as water and beverage drinks, provides sustenance for energy, maintenance and growth of persons. The body receives the foods by eating, and through digestion processes, extracts nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins, from the foods. The waste left over from the digestive process passes into the colon, first in a liquid state and ultimately in solid form as the water is removed from the stool, and the resulting solids empty from the colon into the rectum for storage pending an elimination occurrence. The fluids also contain nutrients for absorption by the body and provide for regulation of body temperature. The fluids further facilitate removal of waste materials through urine production. Urine flows to the bladder for temporary collection prior to an evacuation occurrence. A sphincter, acting as a release valve, selectively opens to release urine from the bladder through a urethra. 
         [0003]    While evacuation occurrences typically are conscious responses to signals from nerves associated with the temporary storages of the rectum and bladder, an inability to control urination known as incontinence may lead to unexpected releases of urine. Incontinence may arise from stress or physical problems involving urination urges. Incontinence leads to fluidal leakage of a small to moderate, or more, amount of urine. For example, overflow incontinence is one of several different types of incontinence. Overflow incontinence may occur in response to an inability to empty the bladder completely. Further, some men experience a dripping of a bit of urine after having finished urinating. Such may occur because an upper portion of the urethra retains a small amount of urine that does not come out while urinating but rather drips out afterwards. 
         [0004]    Residual and excess urine leakage occurring unexpectedly can cause embarrassment and discomfort. The residual and excess flow of urine after principal evacuation may wet and stain underwear garments and clothing and flooring of a toilet facility, and such problems are unsanitary, unwholesome, and unattractive. Thus, there is a need in the art for convenient, sanitary and discrete systems for attending to the problems that may arise from bladder evacuation occurrences including from urine leakage and residual urine flow thereafter. It is to such that the present invention is directed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention meets the need in the art by providing a dispenser apparatus comprising a housing having a top, a front and opposing back, a pair of opposing side walls, and a bottom, with the bottom defining an elongated slot medial the front and the back. The top hingedly attaches to the housing and a keyed latch provides for selective opening of the top for access into a cavity defined by the housing. A battery mounts in the housing to provide a supply of electrical current through a momentary motion-sensing switch to a motor. The motor has a shaft that rotates upon supply of electrical current to the motor. The motion-sensing switch mounts to the housing for detecting motion relative to an exterior surface of the housing. The motor mounts to a first one of the side walls and electrically connects through the motion-sensing switch to the battery for communicating electrical current to the motor for a predetermined period. A spindle detachably connected to the shaft for rotation thereof. A spindle carries a supply of a plurality of dry wipe sheets that are detachably defined by a perforated line between adjacent sheets. Means for mounting the housing to a surface is provided. The motor, being momentarily actuated following a detection of motion by the motion-sensing switch, rotates the spindle to move a portion of a dry wipe sheet through the slot for selective detaching by a user for sanitary attending to residual urine flow following bladder evacuation. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a dispenser apparatus comprising a housing having a top, a front and opposing back each with a length of about 5¾ inches, a pair of opposing side walls having lengths of about 2½ inches from a front edge to a back edge, and a bottom, the bottom defining an elongated slot medial the front and the back and having a length of about 2¼ inches and a width of about ¼ inch, the back defining a pair of openings for receiving a respective one of a pair of fasteners therethrough for securing the housing to a surface in a toilet facility. The top hingedly attaches to the housing and has a keyed latch for selective opening of the top for access into a cavity defined by the housing. A battery mounts in the housing to provide a supply of electrical current through a momentary motion-sensing switch to a motor. The switch mounts in the bottom for detecting motion relative to the housing. The motor mounts to a first one of the side walls and electrically connected through the motion-sensing switch to the battery for communicating electrical current to the motor for a predetermined period, the motor having a shaft that rotates upon supply of electrical current to the motor. A spindle detachably connects to the shaft for rotation thereof and receives a supply of a plurality of dry wipe sheets detachably defined by a perforated line between adjacent sheets, the dry wipe sheets having a thickness of about 1/64 inch. The motor, being momentarily actuated following a detection of motion by the motion-sensing switch, rotates the spindle to move a portion of a dry wipe sheet through the slot for selective detaching by a user for sanitary attending to residual urine flow following bladder evacuation. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of dispensing dry wipe sheets from a dispenser, comprising the steps of: 
         [0008]    (a) providing a spool of a plurality of dry wipe sheets detachably joined in adjacent relation by perforated lines in an elongated member; 
         [0009]    (b) rotating the spool for a dwell period to deploy a leading dry wipe sheet on the spool at least partially through a slot in a dispenser holding the spool therein, for detachment thereof and the adjacent dry wipe sheet thereby becoming the leading dry wipe sheet for subsequent deployment, the dwell period having a first duration; and 
         [0010]    (c) changing the dwell period for rotation to a second duration longer than the first dwell period, the second dwell period sufficient to rotate the spool for deployment of the leading dry wipe sheet from the spool. 
         [0011]    The structure and operation of the invention, as well as advantages, features and benefits thereof, will become readily apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings illustrating an exemplary non-limiting embodiment thereof and the appended claims setting forth the subject matter of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates in perspective partially cut-away view a dispenser for selective providing of a dry wipe sheet from a sheet supply in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates in detailed side view a spindle carrying a supply of dry wipe sheets for the dispenser illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates in exploded perspective view details of the spindle for carrying a supply of dry wipe sheets for the dispenser illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  illustrates the spindle in first position mounted in the dispenser. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  illustrates the spindle in a second position for detaching the spindle from the dispenser for replacement of the supply of dry wipe sheets. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    With reference to the drawings, in which like parts have like reference numerals,  FIG. 1  illustrates in perspective partially cut-away view a dispenser  10  in an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, for selective providing of a dry wipe sheet  12  from a sheet supply  14  in accordance with the present invention for use in a toilet facility. The term “toilet facility” as used herein refers to rooms commonly known as a restroom, toilet, bathroom or lavatory, that contain one or more sanitation fixtures used primarily for the evacuation from a person of urine and feces for disposal. The sanitation fixtures include a pedestal toilet for people who prefer to sit during an evacuation occurrence, a squat toilet for people who prefer to squat, and urinals for people who prefer to stand during bladder evacuation occurrences. The toilet fixtures may be flushable with water, may be dry, or may include chemical holding tanks such as portable toilet facilities typically found in locations and public events that require temporary toilet facilities to accommodate needs of attendance crowds. 
         [0018]    The dispenser  10  comprises a housing  20  having a top  22 , a front  24  and an opposing back  26 , a pair of opposing side walls  28 ,  30 , and a bottom  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, at least one hinges  34  connects the top  22  to the back  26 , for opening the housing  20  for servicing of the sheet supply  14  periodically and servicing of operational components of the dispenser  10  occasionally. A keyed latch  36  moves selectively between a latched position and an unlocked position. The latched position locks the top  22  from opening to keep the contents of the housing  20  secure. The unlocked position allows the top  22  to pivot selectively open and closed on the hinge  34 . The bottom  32  defines an elongated slot  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, the slot  38  is medial the front  24  and the back  26 . 
         [0019]    A battery case  46  mounts in the housing  20  for holding batteries to provide a supply of electrical current. A momentary motion-sensing switch  48  mounts in the housing  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the switch  48  mounts in the bottom  32 , but may alternatively mount in one of the side walls, the front, or the top. The switch  48  operates to detect motion relative to an exterior surface of the housing, such as a hand of person using the dispenser in conjunction with a bladder evacuation occurrence. A motor  50  mounts to the side wall  30 . The motor electrically connects through the motion-sensing switch  48  to the battery case  46  for communicating electrical current to the motor for a predetermined period. A controller  51  communicates with the sensing switch  48  and the motor for motor operation as discussed below. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the motor  50  includes a shaft  52  that rotates upon supply of the electrical current to the motor. A spindle  54  detachably connects at a first end to the shaft  52  for rotation and to a saddle  59  at an opposing end. The supply  14  of a plurality of the dry wipe sheets  12  seats relative to the spindle  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, a spool  56  such as a cylindrical roller carries the supply  14 , and the spindle, upon removal from engagement with the housing and motor, slidably receives the spool. In the illustrated embodiment, an elongated sheet defines a plurality of spaced-apart lines  58  of perforations transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sheet. The perforated lines  58  define the detachably engaged dry wipe sheets  12 . The spool  56  may be an open-ended cardboard cylinder. 
         [0021]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , the housing  20  mounts to a surface  60  in a toilet facility. In the illustrated embodiment, the back defines a pair of spaced-apart openings  62 ,  64 . One of a pair of fasteners  66  extends through a respective opening  62 ,  64  for engagingly mounting the housing  20  to the surface  60 . The openings  62 ,  64  may be a circular opening, or as illustrated, a conventional keyhole opening configured for seating of the fastener  66  followed by mounting the housing thereon with the shaft of the fastener moving in the slot of the keyhole to a distal end, and being tightened thereafter, to secure the housing  20  to the surface  60 . 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the spindle  54  in the illustrated embodiment comprises a first tube  53  and a second tube  55  with a spring  57  received therein. The first tube  53  telescopingly receives the second tube  44 . The spring  57  biases the first tube  53  and the second tube  55  apart for a purpose discussed below. The first tube  53  and the second tube  55  are movable relative to each other as indicated by an arrow  67 . One end of the spindle  54  engages the shaft  52  of the motor  50  and an opposing end engages a seat  59  attached to the side wall  28 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates in exploded perspective view details of the spindle  54  and the mounting of the spindle in the housing  20  in association with the shaft  52  of the motor  50  and the seat  59 . The shaft  52  defines a slot  70  that receives a T member  72  extending from the tube  55  at the first end of the spindle  54 . A pin  74  extends from the tube  53  at the opposing end of the spindle  54 . The spring  57 , coaxial and disposed within the tubular spindle  50  biases the tubes  53 ,  55  apart but allows the tubes to move longitudinally between an extended position and a retracted position. The side wall  28  defines a receiver generally  76  for the pin  74 . In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver  76  comprises the seat  59  that mounts to the inside surface of the side wall  30 . The seat  59  in the illustrated embodiment defines a U-shaped open saddle  82  and an opening  76  that receives the pin  74 . In an alternate embodiment, the side wall  28  defines the opening  75  as the saddle  59  is optional. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4A  illustrates the spindle  54  in the first or extended position mounted in the dispenser  20  between the seat  59  and the motor  50 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates the spindle  54  in the second or retracted position for detaching the spindle from the dispenser  20  for replacement of the supply  14  of dry wipe sheets  12 . In the extended position, the spindle  54  extends between the seat  59  and motor  50  holding the supply  14  of sheets  12  with the spring  57  biasing the spindle in position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In the retracted position, the tube  53  is moved longitudinally towards the motor  52  against the spring  57 . This moves the pin  74  from the seat  59  with the end of the spindle  54  free of the saddle  82 . The spindle  54  may then be moved longitudinally away from the motor  50  to disengage the T-member  72  from the slot  70  in the shaft  52 . The spindle  54  is thereby removable from the housing  20 , for replacement servicing of the spool  56  having the supply  14  of dry wipe sheets  12 . In an alternate embodiment, the receiver  76  comprises an opening in the side wall  30  coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the shaft  52  for receiving the pin  74 . 
         [0025]    The tube  55  slidingly receives the spool  56 . The tube  55  in the illustrated embodiment defines at least one designator  83  for guiding the placement of the spool  56  for alignment with the slot  38  when the telescoped tubes  53 ,  55  are received together and placed in the first or extended position in the dispenser  20 . 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the dispenser  10  attaches with fasteners  66  extending through the openings  62 ,  64 . The fasteners  66  may be conventional screws or special screws featuring heads configured for installation with conventional tools but slipping upon attempted removal. The spindle  54  slidingly receives the spool  56  carrying the supply  14 . The servicer positions the spool  56  on the tube  55  with the designator  83  as a guide to align the supply  14  with the slot  38 . The servicer joins the tubes  53 ,  55  and rotates the spindle  54  to deploy a leading portion of the dry wipe sheets through the slot  38 . The installer then inserts the pin  74  into the receiver  76 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pin  74  inserts into the saddle  82 . The installer then presses the spindle  54  longitudinally away from the motor  50 . The T member  72  inserts into the slot  70 . The spindle  54 , upon release, applies longitudinal pressure by the internal spring to secure the spindle  54  to the shaft  52  of the motor  50 . The servicer closes the top  22  and operates the keyed latch  36  to move to the latched position thereby locking the top  22  from pivoting open and maintaining the dispenser secure. 
         [0027]    The motion detector switch  48  detects motion relative to an exterior surface of the housing, such as a hand of a person using the dispenser in conjunction with a bladder evacuation occurrence. The battery  46  supplies current to the motor  50  for a predetermined period after the switch  48  detects motion. The motor  50  operates to rotate the spindle  54 . The supply of dry wipe sheets  12  thereby rotates, to extend a portion of the supply through the slot  38 . The motor  50  stops after the predetermined period. A person engaged in the bladder evacuation occurrence then removes the dry wipe sheet  12  by pulling and the sheet detaches from the supply along the perforation line. The person then uses the detached dry wipe sheet blottingly for sanitary purposes relative to the discharge of urine from his body. The dry wipe sheet  12  wicks exposed urine sanitarily and dryingly and the blotting action removes residual urine therefrom. The dry wipe sheet  12 , moistened thereby with residual urine, then readily disposes in the toilet and is flushed away. Of particular note is the dissolvable nature of the dry wipe sheet  12  that enables use and disposal thereof in toilet facilities having urinals as well as sanitary disposal in a flush, dry, or chemical tank toilet facility. 
         [0028]    The present invention accordingly provides an apparatus and method of deployment of dry wipe sheets for persons to remove dryingly excess urine during bladder evacuation occurrences and such dry wipe sheets keep underwear and clothing dry, avoids embarrassment, staining of clothing, and keeps residual and excess urine from dropping or spilling on to the floor for remaining clean and sanitary. The simple dispenser readily and efficiently enhances sanitary toilet cleanliness where installed for example, public toilets such as in hotels, restaurants, office buildings, gas stations, hospitals, and planes, as well as private facilities in homes, and temporary toilet facilities at public events. 
         [0029]    Upon usage of the supply  14 , the top  22  is opened for servicing of the spindle  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the keyed latch  36  moves selectively from the latched position to the unlocked position. The top  22  pivots open allowing access into the housing for servicing of the dispenser  10 . The servicer detaches the spindle  54  and removes the spool  70  then empty of the supply  14 . A servicer slides a new spool  56  on to the spindle  54  and reinstalls as discussed above. The top  22  closes and the keyed latch  36  operated to move to the latched position thereby locking the top  22  from pivoting open and maintaining the dispenser secure. 
         [0030]    In one operational aspect of the present invention, the predetermined period adjusts as the supply  14  of dry wipe sheets depletes from usage. The predetermined period adjusts increasingly to accommodate additional arcs of rotation to unroll the leading dry wipe sheet  12  from the supply  14  as the diameter of the roll of the dry wipe sheets decreases by rotation of the supply and detachment of the leading dry wipe sheet  12 . Particularly, in one embodiment, the momentary rotation has first duration and a second duration, with the first duration shorter than the second duration, with the first duration for dispensing a dry wipe sheet from an initial installation of the supply to about one-half of a number of sheets initially in the supply and the second duration for dispensing a dry wipe sheet from the remaining sheets in the supply of sheets. It is to be appreciated that further subdivisions of the residual supply  14  and duration or dwell period for rotation of the spindle may gainfully be made to facilitate appropriate displacement of the leading sheet  12  through the slot  38 , for selective detachment along the perforated line  55  by a user during bladder evacuation occurrences. 
         [0031]    In the illustrated embodiment, the supply  14  contains one hundred (100) separable dry wipe sheets  12 , and on a roll the supply  14  has a first diameter. The diameter of the supply decreases in response to deployment and detachment of dry wipe sheets  12  for sanitary attending to residual urine flow or drips during and following the bladder evacuation occurrence. Preferably and optionally, the dry wipe sheets  12  are treated with an aromatic  80  which is sanitary and safe for application to skin. Further, the fibers of the dry wipe sheets  12  are preferably hydrophilic and bound together for integrity of the dry wipe sheet during use but readily separable upon extended exposure to water such as disposal into the toilet and further disposal into sanitary sewers and processing. In the illustrative embodiment, the dry wipe sheets  12  have a width of 2 inches, a thickness of 1/64 inch, and a length of 3.5 inches, although one of skill in the art may readily appreciate that other sized dry wipe sheets may be provided. 
         [0032]    Further, the dry wipe sheet  12  is readily dissolvable in water for disposing in urinals, pedestal toilets and chemical holding tanks, for sanitary treatment in sewage systems, after use. In an illustrative embodiment by example and without limitation, the dry wipe sheet comprises a fibrous paper material that is hydrophilic for reception and absorption of residual urine during sanitary attending to excess urine flow. An embodiment of the dry wipe sheet  12  may be formed of sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose that readily dissolves in water and particularly during agitation that occurs with a flushing flow of water into the urinal or toilet and draining of the contents of the toilet or urinal, such as into a sanitary sewer system, portable temporary toilet facilities such as may be placed for serving attendees at large group events, or other sanitary facility. Dissolvable paper products are available from Extra Packaging, Corp. of Rochester, N.Y. 14621 (www.extrapackaging.com). 
         [0033]    It is thus seen that an apparatus is provided for selectively disposing the dry wipe sheet deployed at least partially from the dispenser in response to sensing of motion by the user in a bladder evacuation occurrence seeking the dry wipe for sanitary attention to residual urine flow, the dry wipe sheet separable from an elongated sheet by spaced-apart plurality of perforation lines, in which the dwell time for rotation of the supply of dry wipe sheets increases as the supply thereof decreases. While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to an illustrative, non-limiting embodiments thereof, the principles and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed because these are regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Moreover, those skilled in the art may make modifications, variations and changes thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the following claims.