Abstract:
A wall-mounted tissue press that combines a dispenser and receptacle into one integrated unit that dispenses, receives, compacts and temporarily stores, tissue paper. By a combination of internal components, a ram is created to compress stored waste, and effectively increase the capacity of said receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/414,795 filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 17, 2010 by the same inventor. 
    
    
     FEDERAL FUNDING 
     N/A 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to receptacles and more particularly to a wall supported container and specifically to a wall mounted tissue press with integrated dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Personal hygiene is becoming increasingly important in an age where many bacteria and virus are resistant to modem disinfectants and drugs. Hands often act as vectors that carry disease-causing pathogens from person to person, either through direct contact or indirectly via surfaces. Humans can spread bacteria by touching other people&#39;s hand, hair, nose, and face. Hands that have been in contact with human or animal feces, bodily fluids like nasal excretions, and contaminated foods or water can transport bacteria, viruses and parasites to unwitting hosts. 
     Another common transmission vector for pathogens is by indirect contact by touching door knobs, tissues and handkerchiefs previous touched by an infected individual. Common infective organisms are almost always present in our surroundings. Hand-washing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diseases such as diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, which together are responsible for a significant number of deaths. Hand washing with soap works by interrupting the transmission of disease. 
     Studies have shown that effective hand-washing with non-medicated soap removes bacteria. For effective hand-washing with non-medicated soap, rubbing together of lathered hands for 8-15 seconds, followed by thorough rinsing with running water, and finally drying by at least two paper towels were recommended. Paper and not cloth towels should be available. 
     Door knobs are one of the most frequently touched objects in modern society. An individual may come into contact with dozens of door knobs during a day and these door knobs most likely have been touched previously by several individuals. Door knobs are a common repository of communicable pathogens. Door knobs on the doors of public washrooms can be very contaminated since it is known than many individuals, up to 30% of the travelling public, do not wash their hands after using the washroom. Therefore, there is a requirement to provide means for individuals who do wash their hands to avoid contact with a contaminated door knob or handle. 
     A few solutions have been proposed. For example, one solution is to provide for a foot operated door opener that requires no hand contact. However, such an opener can scuff and damage shoes and may not be suitable for all persons. Another solution is to provide a motion activated door opener that opens when an individual waves a hand in front of a sensor. Such devices are very expensive and so installation in public washrooms may not be practical. 
     US patent application number 20100003174 describes a “Golden touch container system” wherein an electro-mechanical device disinfects the door knob after every use. Such a device would be expensive to install. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,757,351 for a “sanitary tissue and tissue dispenser for door knobs” describes a tissue dispensing device that fits around door knobs. The device dispenses tissues that are used by an individual to open the door without having to contact the door knob directly. Such a device may not hold sufficient tissues for a busy washroom. 
     Therefore, there is a continued requirement for devices and apparatus to encourage individual hygiene and dispense a suitable prophylactic to prevent contact with door knobs and other contaminated surfaces in public washrooms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a wall mounted tissue press with an integrated tissue dispenser and used tissue receptacle comprising a space enclosing member having a closable top side, a closable bottom side and a closable back side. The back side member is mounted the closable back side by mounting means and to an adjacent wall surface by the same mounting means thereby forming a rectangular hollow receptacle for receiving waste tissue. The back side member can also be adhesively mounted to the wall. 
     The top door for temporarily closing the closable top side is mounted by a top hinge member to the back side member. The bottom door for temporarily closing the closable bottom side is mounted by a bottom hinge member to the back side member. Clean tissue in a box is stored within the receptacle and dispensed from the receptacle. The invention also comprises a used tissue compression means that is stowed within the used tissue receptacle. 
     In one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention the space enclosing member, the top door and the bottom door are fabricated from stainless steel; however other suitable materials can be used. Stainless steel has aesthetic and septic qualities. 
     The top door further comprises a left side and a right side and a first aperture having a first perimeter surrounded by a first collar. The top door aperture receives waste tissue. The top door forms an isosceles trapezoid having a shorter base forward and a longer base rearward. The top door also has a left side flap comprising a vertical downward first irregular pentagon having a base side along the door left side; and, a right side flap comprising a vertical downward second irregular pentagon identical to the first irregular pentagon having a base side along the door right side. 
     In one embodiment of the apparatus the top surface of the top door is angled downwards between 15 degrees and 20 degrees from a horizontal when in the closed position. When the top door is open it is vertical. The top door remains in the closed position using a latch member comprising a pin and aperture. 
     The bottom door further comprises a left side and a right side forming an isosceles trapezoid having a shorter base forward and a longer base rearward. The bottom door further includes a left side flap comprising a vertical upward first irregular pentagon having a base side along the bottom door left side; and, a right side flap comprising a vertical upward second irregular pentagon identical to the first irregular pentagon having a base side along the bottom door right side. 
     In one embodiment of the invention when the bottom door is closed it is angled upwards between 15 degrees and 20 degrees from the horizontal. When the bottom door is open it is vertical. 
     The space enclosing member comprises a single sheet of material formed into a front surface, a left-side surface, a right-side surface, a left-side rear mounting flange and a right-side rear mounting flange. The left-side surface and the right-side surface angle inwards to join the front surface. This gives the storage receptacle a trapezoidal appearance in cross-section. The front surface includes a second aperture having a second perimeter surrounded by a second collar wherein said second aperture dispenses clean tissues. The second aperture is disposed about five inches downward from the shorter base of the top door. 
     In one embodiment of the apparatus the tissue compression means comprises a ram member having a base member, a second member rising from said base member, a first angled member rising at a first angle from said second member and a second angled member depending away from the first angled member at a second angle. When the ram member is in a stowed position the base member is horizontal, the second member is vertical, the first angled member rises at an angle of about 40 degrees up from the horizontal and the second angled member depends downward at about 50 degrees from the horizontal. When in the stowed position the ram first angled member and the second angled member join at a right angle and this right angle suspends the ram member over a top edge of said front surface. The ram member forms said clean tissue storage and dispensing means. The clean tissue storage means comprises a cavity within the receptacle having a base member comprising the base member of the ram and a cavity back support member comprising the second vertical member of the ram. The cavity accepts placement of a box of clean tissues having a clean tissue dispensing slot aligned with dispensing means comprising the second aperture. 
     When a box of clean tissues within the cavity is empty, the top door is opened and the ram is removed from the receptacle by a custodian. The custodian removes the empty box of tissues and grasps the right angle like a handle to apply a compressive force to used tissue within the receptacle using the ram base member thereby increasing storage within the receptacle. A new box of tissue is placed within the cavity and the ram member is placed in its stowed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the invention mounted to a wall near a door. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a front view of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of a top portion of the body of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4   a  is a side view, in partial section, of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a front view, with hidden lines, of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the tissue box of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective top view of one embodiment of the invention showing the top door orifice. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view, in partial section, of one embodiment of the invention showing the used tissues accumulating therein. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view, in partial section, of one embodiment of the invention showing the ram. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view, in partial section, of one embodiment of the invention showing the discarded tissues compacted in the bottom of the body. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of one embodiment of the invention showing the waste being emptied into a garbage bag. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded front perspective assembly drawing of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded side assembly view of one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description of the present invention is merely exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the invention or the application or uses of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  there is illustrated one embodiment of the invention  10  which is an integrated unit comprising a wall mounted tissue press with an integrated tissue dispenser and used tissue receptacle. The unit is mounted on wall  11  proximate to door  12  and door knob  14 . The invention  10  comprises a clean tissue dispenser  16  combined with a trash receptacle having orifice  18 . Within the invention is a tissue press the operation of which is more fully explained below. 
     The top of the invention comprises a top pivoting door  20  which opens to replace the clean tissue box. (Not shown in this Figure. Refer to  FIG. 4 ). The door  20  is held in place by a latch  21  the operation of which is more fully described below. The bottom of the invention  10  comprises a bottom pivoting door  22  that opens to discharge discarded tissues into a suitable trash container such as a bag. The body of the invention  24  is a four-sided receptacle having a front surface  26  parallel to a rear surface  28 . The front surface  26  is narrower than the rear surface  28 . The rear surface  28  is mounted flush to wall  11 . The side surface  30  and side surface  32  are angled inward from rear surface  28  to front surface  26  so that the body is generally in the form of a trapezoid. The top door  20  is angled downwards and the bottom door  22  is angled upwards. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , there is shown one embodiment of the invention  10  in front view ( FIG. 2A ) and side view ( FIG. 2B ). In the front view, the invention  10  comprises a top door  20  having a first closed position  40  and a second open position  42 . Latch  21  keeps the door closed. The door  20  comprises a top surface  17  trash receptacle orifice  18 , right side flap  44  and left side flap  46 . The orifice  18  includes a collar  50  to cover the sharp edge of the orifice  18  and prevent used tissues from snagging on any sharp edge. The body of the invention  24  is a trapezoidal-shaped receptacle comprising a front surface  26 , a left side surface  30 , a right side surface  32  and a rear surface  28 . As shown in the side view of  FIG. 2B , the top door  20  pivots upwards through path arc  52  to a vertical position  42  and the bottom door  22  pivots downwards through path arc  56  to a vertical position  58 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown one embodiment of the invention  10  top portion comprising top door  20  having a slanted top surface  17 , trash orifice  18  having a collar  50 , left-side door flap  46  and right-side door flap  44 . The front surfaces of the door flaps extend slightly beyond the front surface  26  of the body  24  so that the door can be grasped and opened using the front overhang portion  60 . The door  20  is held close by a latch  21  on right-side flap  44  and a close press fit between left-side flap  46  and body side  30  and right-side flap  44  and body side  32 . Also illustrated is clean tissue  19  dispensing orifice  16  having a collar  62 . Arrow  23  illustrates the cycle of the clean tissue from the dispensing orifice  16  to the trash orifice  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , there is shown a side view and front view, respectively, of the top portion of the body  24  of the invention  10 . The tissue box holder  70  for holding a container  71  or magazine of clean tissues is disposed into a tissue box holder  72  disposed on the inside surface  74  of the front surface  26  of the body. The tissue dispensing orifice  16  and collar  62  within the front wall  26  of the receptacle are disposed adjacent the opening in a tissue container  71  so that tissues can be easily extracted from the container. The tissue box holder  70  is accessed by opening door  20  and moving the door to its vertical position  42 . The tissue box container  71  slides easily into the tissue box holder  70  and then the top door  20  can be closed and latched into a closed position by latch  21 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a preferred type of tissue container being Kimtissues® by Kimberley-Clark® (Trademarks) having the appropriate dimensions to fit within the tissue box  70 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a view of the top portion of the invention  10  comprising the body  24  and top door  20  having trash disposal orifice  18  and collar  50 . Once the tissue  78  is used by a person to touch a door handle it can be disposed of by compressing it as shown by arrows  82  and placing it into the trash disposal orifice  18  whereupon it will fall to the bottom of the receptacle. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown the invention  10  in a cross-sectional side view. Used tissues  78  are represented by the hexagon shapes. As the receptacle  24  fills, the tissues  78  are disposed in a loose configuration as shown within the receptacle. This arrangement does not constitute an effective use of the limited storage space available within the receptacle and so the invention additionally comprises a ram  90  which is also the tissue container  71  holder  70  when it is in its stored position as described below. In its stored position as shown in  FIG. 7 , the ram  90  comprises a bottom horizontal member  92 , a vertical member  94 , an inclined member  96  and an opposite-inclined member  98 . The inclined member  98  hangs the ram from the top edge  100  of front surface  26 . Inclined member  96  deflects waste material  78  away from the tissue container  71  so that discarded tissues will not collect above the ram member  90 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the ram  90  is accessed by opening the top door  20 . An operator will remove the ram  90  from its stored position and the container of tissues held therein as shown in  FIG. 7  and grasp it by inclined members  96  and  98  which form a handle. Bottom ram member  92  and side ram member  94  are used to compress the waste material  72  down to the bottom of receptacle  24 . This can be done periodically by a custodian to prevent the receptacle from filling up prematurely. Once the used tissues are compressed to the bottom of the receptacle the ram member can be placed in its stored and hanging position as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the result of compressing the waste material  72  to the bottom of the receptacle  24  is that the material is adjacent to bottom door  22  for convenient disposal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  there is shown the bottom portion of the invention  10  with the bottom door  22  in an open position. Bag  102  is placed below the opening for receiving compressed waste material  72 . Conveniently because the waste material has been compacted by the ram, it will decompress as soon as the bottom door  22  is opened and easily drop into the waste bag  102  without the operator having to insert his or her hand into the receptacle and pull the material out. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , there is shown front view and side view assembly diagrams respectively of one embodiment of the invention  10  comprising the following components: a rear member  28  for wall mounting through orifices  29 . The rear member  28  may also be adhesively mounted to a wall by adhesive member  104 . At the top end of the rear member is attached a hinge member  106  for mounting the top door  20  having latch  21 . The front  25  panel  108  of the body  24  comprises sides  30  and  32  and front face  26  having dispensing orifice  16 . The bottom of the rear member mounts hinge member  110  for mounting bottom door  22  having a latch  111 . Within the assembled body  24  is mounted tissue ram  90  within which a tissue container  71  is held when the ram  90  is in its stored position.