Abstract:
A compact, all-in-one paper-dispenser and waste-receptacle unit that is designed to attach to a wall or a door, such as a wall or door of a public restroom. The paper, which is preferably a paper-based sanitary product, such as a tissue or paper towel, is dispensed from the bottom of the unit. After use, the user can then deposit the paper into a waste receptacle opening at the top of the unit. The invention provides an advantageous public health function by allowing the user to withdraw a paper from the unit, use the paper as a barrier between the user&#39;s hand and a potentially unsanitary surface, such as a restroom door, and then safely discard the paper within the unit. Moreover, because the paper dispenser and receptacle are combined in a single unit, with the paper dispensed from the bottom, and the receptacle located at the top of the unit, the unit can be made compact, takes up very little space, and can be easily mounted on a wall or door.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/578,925, filed on Jun. 10, 2004, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is generally known that practicing good personal hygiene habits can help minimize the risk of contracting diseases and infections from microorganisms. However, even good personal hygiene habits may not be enough to prevent microbial contamination. For instance, in certain areas, such as in public restrooms, microbial contamination can be prevalent, with harmful germs being spread throughout the environment by hand-to-object transferal (especially by individuals who do not wash their hands), or through aerosolized dispersal. These harmful germs can collect on virtually any surface in the restroom, such as a countertop, door or door handle, and then spread to individuals who touch these surfaces.  
         [0003]     This problem can be minimized by the frequent cleaning of surfaces that are at high-risk for microbial contaminants. However, given the impracticality of constant cleaning of these surfaces, there will almost always be opportunity for harmful germs to collect and infect individuals who contact the contaminated surfaces. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,383 to Lidahl, et al., it is suggested to provide sanitary towels in restrooms so that an individual need not directly contact a restroom door. This patent describes a restroom sanitation system having two spatially-separated units: an upper dispensing unit for dispensing a cleaning paper, and a lower receptacle unit for receiving waste paper.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention is a compact, all-in-one paper-dispenser and waste-receptacle unit. In one aspect, the unit is designed to attach to a wall or a door, such as a wall or door of a public restroom. The paper, which is preferably a paper-based cleaning product, such as a tissue or paper towel, is dispensed from the bottom of the unit. After use, the user can then deposit the paper into a waste receptacle opening at the top of the unit. The invention provides an advantageous public health function by allowing the user to withdraw a paper from the unit, use the paper as a barrier between the user&#39;s hand and a potentially unsanitary surface, such as a restroom door, and then safely discard the paper within the unit. Moreover, because the paper dispenser and receptacle are combined in a single unit, with the paper dispensed from the bottom, and the receptacle located at the top of the unit, the unit can be made compact, takes up very little space, and can be easily mounted on a wall or door.  
         [0005]     According to one embodiment, the unit comprises an outer-shell piece having a large, open cavity at the top defining a waste disposal portion, and a lower portion having an angled front surface defining a dispense portion. The back surface of the unit is generally flat to permit the unit to be easily mounted to a wall or door. A removable receptacle-sleeve is disposed in the upper cavity, and locks into the unit. The sleeve is removed by sliding it straight up-and-out of the top of the unit opening. The sleeve contains the waste paper, and is designed for easy disposal. The empty sleeve is then slid down back into the unit and locked into place.  
         [0006]     A paper-containing box, which can be a standard-sized tissue box, is positioned inside of and at the bottom of the unit. A small opening is located on the bottom, angled-surface of the unit to allow withdrawal of the papers. Once the paper box is used-up (empty), the box may be removed by sliding the ‘receptacle sleeve’ up-and-out of the unit. Then, reaching into the unit, the empty box may be pulled out and replaced with a new box.  
         [0007]     In other embodiments, the unit comprises two separate portions: an upper, receptacle portion, and a lower, dispense portion which contains a paper-containing box. During operation, the two pieces are joined together, and are preferably mounted on a back plate, which is attached to a door or wall. A locking mechanism can be provided to secure the upper and lower portion to each other, as well as to the back plate, and to release both the receptacle and the lower dispenser portion from one another, which permits access to the paper box. A lock and keyhole can be provided on the front side of the unit.  
         [0008]     In certain embodiments, the paper box can comprise an angled box that is designed specifically for the combined dispense/receptacle unit. The angled box is sized and shaped to fit into the lower dispense portion of the unit. In one embodiment, the angled box contains 100 tissues that are light blue in color. It will be understood that the box can contain any number of paper products, and the papers can be any desired color. The angled box includes a transparent or semi-transparent window area on at least one side of the box. When the box is inserted in the unit, the window area faces out towards the user, and aligns with a corresponding window area on the front surface of the unit. These window areas are designed to allow the user and/or custodian to observe how many papers are remaining in the box.  
         [0009]     The upper, receptacle portion of the unit can be allowed to separate from the lower dispense portion and the back plate. The back plate is attached to a wall or a door. The lower-end of the back plate is attached to the lower, dispense portion of the unit. When the upper, receptacle portion is removed from the unit, the lower portion can remain attached to the back plate.  
         [0010]     In yet another embodiment, an all-in-one paper-dispenser and waste-receptacle unit comprises a waste receptacle in an upper receptacle portion, and a paper dispenser in a lower dispense portion, where both portions are enclosed in a cabinet. Access to both the waste receptacle and the paper dispense compartment can be achieved when a door of the cabinet is opened. Preferably, the door can be locked from the outside. When the door is opened, the waste receptacle can be removed by sliding it straight forward (toward the user) and emptied of its contents, and the papers may be loaded for dispensing. When the door is closed, the top of the cabinet is exposed and the user may throw the waste papers into the receptacle. Preferably, the unit is designed so that the waste receptacle cannot be removed when the door is closed. The papers, which can be dry sanitary tissues, are dispensed from an opening at the bottom of the cabinet.  
         [0011]     This invention provides a user a simple and effective option to help prevent the transmission of food borne illnesses commonly found in food establishment restrooms. When the present invention is placed next to the exit door or on the door itself, the worker or patron will have the opportunity to use a convenient tissue/paper towel as a barrier for the door handle or push plate. After use, he/she may choose to throw the tissue/paper towel into the unit&#39;s waste receptacle.  
         [0012]     In general, protection against the viruses and bacteria commonly found in food establishment restrooms, for instance, only requires a dry non-antibacterial paper tissue/paper towel, which the public at-large already uses to protect themselves after they have washed their hands with soap and warm water. Antibacterial wipes that include alcohol have not proven to be particularly useful against these viruses/bacteria. According to the CDC, the concern in food service settings focuses on fecal pathogens (bacteria, enteric non-lipophilic viruses, and protozoan oocysts). Alcohol has shown to be ineffective against protozoan oocysts and, depending on the alcohol concentration, time, and viral variant, it may not be effective against Hepatitis A, or other non-lipophilic viruses. Therefore, a dry tissue or paper towel provided by this product is suitable when used as a barrier against the exit door handle or push plate after proper hand washing. When the user does not come into contact with the surface of an affected area, then the likely hood of transmission is reduced.  
         [0013]     In one aspect, this device provides a tissue dispenser and waste receptacle all-in-one unit which conveniently helps users, including restaurant workers and patrons, do what they already do to prevent the transmission of food bourne illnesses after hand washing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate a first embodiment of a paper-dispenser and waste-receptacle unit having a one-piece outer-shell;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of a second embodiment comprising an upper, receptacle portion, and a lower, dispense portion, mounted together against a wall;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the second embodiment showing the lower dispense portion separated from the upper receptacle portion;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side perspective views of the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of the unit, showing the interior of the upper receptacle portion;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the unit with the lower dispense portion separated from the upper receptacle portion;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 5A  is a front view of the second embodiment, with the upper and lower portions joined together;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a front view of the second embodiment, with the upper and lower portions separated from one another;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate an angled tissue box with a window portion;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a combined paper-dispenser and waste-receptacle unit;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the third embodiment;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the cabinet of the unit of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  shows the cabinet with door hinge, tissue supports and latch assembly;  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  illustrates a tissue support;  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the latch assembly;  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  shows the door of the unit of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the unit of  FIG. 7 ; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  shows the waste bucket for the unit of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]     A description of preferred embodiments of the invention follows.  
         [0034]      FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate a first embodiment of a combined paper-dispenser and waste-receptacle unit  10  having a one-piece outer-shell  11 . The unit includes an outer-shell  11  having a large, open cavity  13  at the top, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The open cavity  13  defines a waste disposal portion of the unit. In certain embodiments, a removable receptacle-sleeve (not shown) can be located in the upper cavity  13 , and lock into the unit. The sleeve can be removed by sliding it straight up-and-out of the top of the unit opening. The sleeve contains the waste paper, and is designed for easy disposal. When the waste papers have been disposed of, the empty sleeve can then slide back into the upper cavity  13  and lock into place. It will be understood that the unit can function without a receptacle-sleeve. For example, the user can dispose papers directly into the upper cavity  13 , or instead of a sleeve that locks into the unit, a waste bag can be disposed in the cavity.  
         [0035]     The lower portion of the unit  10  is used to dispense papers. As shown in  FIGS. 1C and 1D , the unit has an angled front surface  15  that defines a dispense portion. The angled front surface  15  has a small opening  17  to allow withdrawal of papers from the interior of the unit. As shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1D , a paper-containing box  19 , which can be a standard-sized tissue box, is positioned inside the unit  10 , abutting the interior of angled surface  15 . Thus, a user can withdraw papers from the paper box  19  through opening  17  in angled surface  15 . Once the paper box  19  is used-up (empty), the box may be removed by removing the waste paper from the upper portion of the unit (such as by sliding the ‘receptacle sleeve’ up-and-out of the unit). Then, reaching into the unit, the empty box may be pulled out and replaced with a new box. As is illustrated in  FIG. 1D , the back surface  18  of the unit is flat to permit the unit to be easily mounted to a wall or door.  
         [0036]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of a second embodiment of a combined paper-dispenser and waste-receptacle unit  20  comprising two separate portions: an upper, receptacle portion  21 , and a lower, dispense portion  23 . The lower, dispense portion  23  is adapted to hold a paper-containing box. During operation, the two pieces are joined together, and attached to a flat surface, such as a door or wall. Paper is dispensed from the lower portion  23 , and can be disposed of in the upper portion  21 , which has a hollow interior with an opening  25  at the top. In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion  21  and the lower portion  23  are mounted together on a back plate, which is attached to a door or wall. A locking mechanism can be provided to secure the upper and lower portion to each other, as well as to the back plate, and to release both the receptacle  21  and the lower dispenser portion  23  from one another, as shown in  FIG. 2B , and thus provide access to the paper box. A lock and keyhole can be provided on the front side  26  of the unit.  
         [0037]     The second embodiment of the present paper-dispenser and waste-receptacle unit  20  is shown in perspective view in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . As is shown in  FIG. 3B , the bottom surface  22  of the upper receptacle portion  21  is angled upwards from the back surface  28  of the unit to the front surface  26  of the unit. The upper receptacle portion  21  is slightly recessed proximate to the bottom surface  22  to provide a small rabbet  31 . The paper dispense portion  23  of the unit fits over the rabbet  31  in the bottom of the receptacle  21  to ensure a good fit when the two portions are engaged. The bottom surface  24  of the dispense portion  23  is also angled parallel to the bottom surface  22  of the receptacle  21 , so that it faces out from the wall or other flat mounting surface. The bottom surface  24  also includes an opening  29  to allow withdrawal of papers from the interior of the dispense portion  23 .  
         [0038]     As illustrated in the top-view of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the hollow-interior  25  of the upper portion  21  of the unit serves as a receptacle for waste papers. The lower portion  23  easily engages to and disengages from the upper portion  21  by sliding along rabbet  31 . The lower portion  23  serves as a dispenser for papers, and is adapted to contain a plurality of papers, such as in a paper-containing box  33  that is housed inside the lower portion  23 , as shown in  FIG. 4B .  
         [0039]     In certain embodiments, the paper box  33  can comprise an angled box that is designed specifically for the combined dispense/receptacle unit. The angled box is sized and shaped to fit into the lower dispense portion of the unit. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 6A, 6B , and  6 C, the upper and bottom surfaces of the box  33  can be angled parallel to the lower surface  22  of the upper receptacle portion  21  and the lower surface  24  of the dispense portion  23  of the unit. In this way, the box  33  fits snugly in the cavity formed between the receptacle portion  23  and the dispense portion  21 . In general, the shape of the box  33  is arranged in a way that provides a snug fit in the interior of the lower dispense portion  23  of the unit. As shown in  FIG. 6C , the box  33  has an opening  39  on its bottom surface. This opening  39  aligns with opening  29  on the lower dispense portion  23  of the unit, so that papers can be withdrawn from the box  33  through openings  39  and  29  for use by a user. In the embodiment shown, the mechanism for each paper to be dispensed is similar to a standard tissue dispenser with an Interfold process that allows one tissue to be pulled after another. In other embodiments, the paper may be of the roll/tear type. Additionally, the tissue paper may be dispensed via a ‘Hands Free’ device (e.g. hand waving over a sensor).  
         [0040]     In one embodiment, the angled box  33  contains 100 tissues that are light blue in color. It will be understood that the box can contain any number of paper products, and the papers can be any desired color. As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6C , the angled box includes a transparent or semi-transparent window area  35  on at least one side of the box. When the box is inserted in the unit, the window area faces out towards the user, and aligns with a corresponding window area  35  on the front surface of the lower dispense portion  23  of the unit, as shown in  FIGS. 3A, 5A  and  5 B. These window areas  35  are designed to allow the user and/or custodian to observe how many papers are remaining in the box.  
         [0041]     The upper, receptacle portion of the unit can be allowed to separate from the lower dispense portion and the back plate. The back plate is attached to a wall or a door. The lower-end of the back plate is attached to the lower, dispense portion of the unit. In certain embodiments, when the upper, receptacle portion is removed from the unit, the lower portion can remain attached to the back plate.  
         [0042]     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 7-15 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an all-in-one paper-dispenser and waste-receptacle unit  70 . This embodiment is designed with a waste receptacle sitting at the top of the unit in an upper receptacle portion  71  and a tissue dispenser in a bottom compartment of a lower dispense portion  73 . Both portions are enclosed in a cabinet  77  that can be locked from the outside. Access to both the waste receptacle and the tissue compartment can be reached only when a door  75  of the cabinet is opened. When the door is opened, the waste receptacle can be removed by sliding it straight forward (toward the user) and emptied of its contents, while the tissues may be loaded for use. When the door is closed, the top of the cabinet is exposed and the user may throw the dry tissue waste into the receptacle. Preferably, the unit is designed so that the waste receptacle cannot be removed when the door is closed. When the door is closed, the tissues, which can be dry, colored (e.g. blue) tissues, can be dispensed from an opening at the bottom of the cabinet.  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the unit  70  comprises a cabinet  77  having a waste bucket  81  contained in an upper receptacle portion  71  of the unit. A door  75  is attached to the front surface of the cabinet  77 , the door  75  being hinged to the cabinet at one side, and secured to the cabinet at the other side by a latch mechanism  79 . When the latch mechanism is released, the door  75  is able to swing open on the hinge to expose the interior of the cabinet, including the waste bucket  88  in the upper receptacle portion  71 , and the tissues in the lower dispense portion  73 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the unit  70 , showing the door  75 , and the angled bottom surface  85  of the cabinet  77 . The angled bottom surface  85  is provided with an opening  87  for dispensing tissues from the lower dispense portion  73  of the unit.  
         [0045]     The interior of the cabinet  77  is shown in perspective view in  FIG. 9 . This view illustrates the interior of the angled bottom surface  85  and the dispense opening  87 . A plurality of holes  82  are provided in the rear surface of the cabinet for mounting the unit onto a wall or door. At the top of the cabinet there is a lip  81  that extends from the rear and side walls of the cabinet. The purpose of this lip is to help retain the waste bucket inside the cabinet when the door of the unit is closed and locked. Specifically, the waste bucket is prevented by the lip  81  from being removed out the top of the unit, and must be removed by sliding the bucket out of the front of the unit. The lip  81  can also serve as a guide to help the user insert and remove the waste bucket.  
         [0046]      FIG. 10  again illustrates the interior of the cabinet  77 , where the door hinge  84 , tissue supports  88 ,  89  and latch mechanism  79  are also shown. The door  75  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) is attached to the cabinet by hinge  84 . When the door is closed, the latch mechanism  79  locks the door in place to prevent access to the interior of the cabinet. A suitable latch mechanism is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 12 . The latch mechanism includes a means for unlocking the door located on the side of the cabinet, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Preferably, the latch mechanism can only be unlocked using a key in order to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the unit.  
         [0047]      FIG. 10  also illustrates a pair of tissue supports  88 ,  89 , which are attached to the interior of the bottom surface of the cabinet. The supports  88 ,  89  serve at least two functions. First, they define an area for housing the tissues to be dispensed through opening  87 . The tissues can be housed in a tissue box that slides into the unit between the left and right tissue supports  88 ,  89 . (Alternatively, the tissues can be inserted into the unit loosely, or held together using one or more bands, without a tissue box). The tissue supports  88 ,  89  also provide a mechanical spacing between the waste bucket in the upper receptacle portion  71  and the tissues in the lower dispense portion  73  of the unit.  FIG. 11  shows one of the two tissue supports  89 . When the tissue support  89  is mounted within the cabinet, the waste bucket can sit on the flat top surface(s)  90  of the supports, which keeps the waste bucket separated from the tissues in the lower dispense portion  73 . An example of a waste bucket suitable for use in the unit is shown in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0048]     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.