Wipe dispenser

A bathroom wipe dispenser dispenses both toilet paper and wet wipes. The dispenser has a tube that receives an ordinary toilet paper spindle and, consequently, the dispenser may be hung from a majority of the toilet paper dispensers in residential use today. The tube also fits within an ordinary roll of toilet paper. An arm hangs down from one side of the tube. The arm supports a wet wipe dispenser hanging beneath the arm. The wet wipe dispenser carries a package of wet wipes and has a bottom opening that provides access as wet wipes are dispensed from the package.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure pertains to the field of bathroom wipe dispensers. More particularly, a dispenser facilitates access to both toilet paper and wet wipes.

Description of the Related Art

Whether for toddler care or adult uses, people are increasingly using wet wipes in place of toilet paper. This is shown in the art, for example, where U.S. Pat. D552,902 to Sadeh et al. shows a combined dispenser for toilet paper and wet wipes. The wet wipes dispenser is mounted above the toilet paper, which is problematic if the wet wipes dispenser leaks liquid onto the toilet paper below. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,309 to Newmann et al. shows a wet wipe dispenser that may be mounted on a conventional toilet paper spindle. To the extent that the wet wipe dispenser of Newmann et al. may also dispense toilet paper, the wet wipes dispenser also resides above the toilet paper spindle.

Locating the wet wipes dispenser above the toilet paper is best done by securing the dispenser to a wall by the use of adhesive or screws. This prevents the wet wipes dispenser from pivoting down to an awkward position that juts out from the wall. Since these wet wipes dispensers are sold as aftermarket add-ons and are used to retrofit existing residential-style toilet paper holders, it is desirable to have a universal dispenser that will retrofit most of the toilet paper dispensers in use today. Where some of these dispensers are recessed into the wall and others are not recessed, it is difficult or impossible to provide a single model of wet wipe dispenser that works as a universal retrofit device.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,235 to Haddad et al. is an attempt to provide a bathroom caddy for disposable wet wipes where the wet wipes reside below the toilet paper. The caddy has a tray upon which a may be placed a box of wet wipes. The tray is held by a pair of opposed arms that descend downwardly from hooks that mount upon opposite ends of a toilet paper spindle. While this system presents the wet wipes below the toilet paper and, consequently, protects the toilet paper from leaks, the arms have excessive length that present the wet wipes at too low of an elevation which is uncomfortable to use.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed instrumentalities advance the art and overcome the problems outlined above by providing a compact bathroom wipe dispenser that provides convenient access to both toilet paper and wet wipes while protecting the toilet paper from leaks. The bathroom wipe dispenser may be used to retrofit conventional dispensing systems for residential use of rolled toilet paper as are found in most residences today.

According to one embodiment, a bathroom wipe dispenser includes a tube that is dimensionally compatible with retrofitting an existing toilet paper spindle to hold a dual dispenser of both toilet paper and wet wipes. The tube is constructed and to dispense toilet paper while the toilet paper spindle is inserted in the tube. A single arm hangs downwardly from a first end of the tube, which supports a wet wipe dispenser hanging from the arm at an end of the arm remote from the tube.

In one aspect, the end of the arm attaches to the wet wipe dispenser proximate a distal end of the wet wipe dispenser. The arm may be integrally formed with the wet wipe dispenser or, alternatively, coupling structure such as a groove and channel assembly may be used for selectively attaching to and detaching the arm from the wet wipe dispenser. The ability to separate the arm in this manner facilitates smaller packaging for shipment and sale of the bathroom wipe dispenser.

In one aspect, the arm has a height H and the dispenser has a depth dimension D that is perpendicular to H. The depth dimension D may be sufficient to cause an angle of inclination θ that departs from a vertical orientation as would occur when the arm hangs vertically without abutment to adjacent wall structure in the intended environment of use. The angle of inclination occurs by abutment of the wet wipe dispenser against a wall or other structure to the rear of the bathroom wipe dispenser. The angle of inclination may be any angle from 0 to 45°. For some uses, the preferred angle of inclination may range from 20° and 40°. An angle of inclination in this range facilitates access to the bottom of the wet wipe dispenser without interfering with access to the toilet paper mounted on the tube above.

In one aspect, the wet wipe dispenser has a top and a bottom. The bottom is constructed and arranged to dispense wet wipes through an opening in the bottom. The opening may have beveled edges or a chamfer of complimentary dimensions with respect to the package for enhanced retention thereof proximate the opening.

In one embodiment, the wet wipe dispenser is formed as a bivalve case. An interior cavity retains and is dimensionally compatible with a package of wet wipes having predetermined dimensions proximate to the opening. This package may be, for example, a commercially available package. In one aspect, a spring may bias the package of wet wipes towards a bottom opening when the bivalve case is closed.

In one embodiment, the wet wipe dispenser has a removable door that may be opened and closed as needed for renewal of a wet wipe package that may reside within the wet wipe dispenser. In one aspect, the door may be provided with door has a bump-out that is operably positioned to squeeze the package when the package is inserted into the wet wipe dispenser.

In one embodiment, the wet wipe dispenser has a main body and a sliding nose of complimentary dimensions with respect to the main body. The dimensions are such that the sliding nose and the main body slidingly engage in a mating relationship that forms an interior cavity within the wet wipe dispenser. The mating relationship also forms a bottom opening as a union between the sliding nose and the main body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a right front perspective view showing a bathroom wipe dispenser100mounted on a conventional bracket102. The bracket102may be purchased on commercial order and is merely one type of toilet paper holder commonly in commercial use. As shown inFIG. 1, the bracket102is affixed to a restroom wall106. In addition to dispensing toilet paper104, a downwardly descending arm108carries a wet wipe dispenser110. Thus, a person who is using a toilet (not shown) may choose between the use of toilet paper104and wet wipes from the wet wipe dispenser110. A center line112indicates medial symmetry from a side perspective as to the embodiment ofFIG. 1, but as used herein the word “medial” means that a position observed in plan view is aligned with a center of gravity. Here the center line112is substantially vertical indicating that the bathroom wipe dispenser100is squared away with respect to wall106, essentially that the bathroom wipe dispenser100is able to hang freely without contacting the wall106, or else that back surface114is in light contact with the wall106. This is possible in a non-recessed wall106because a medial depth D between the center line112and the back surface114is equal to or lesser than the distance L between the wall106and the center of the toilet paper spindle (not shown) that is mounted on bracket102.

FIG. 2shows the bathroom wipe dispenser100ofFIG. 1mounted in an escutcheon200covering a recess202formed in wall106A. A recessed mount of this nature may be utilized, for example, for aesthetics or to preserve a range of motion in tight bathroom spaces. In this case the center line112is substantially off-vertical because bracket102A has a length that is much shorter than the length L (seeFIG. 1). This causes a back surface114of the wet wipe dispenser110to abut the wall106A at a rounded corner, thus tilting the center line112at an acute angle θ relative to the wall106A.

The angle θ is an angle of inclination or tilt from vertical having a magnitude that is equal to or less than about 45° so as not to interfere with access to the toilet paper104. It is especially preferred in some embodiments that the tilt angle is between 20° and 40° for improved presentment of wet wipes from a bottom surface206in the intended environment of use. In these embodiments, D may be greater than H to arrive at the correct angle of inclination θ.

Where the average roll of toilet paper has an outer diameter of 11 to 12 centimeters, the height H, which is the height of the arm108to the center of the toilet paper spindle (not shown), should be at least 6 centimeters and is preferably from 6 to 12 centimeters, most preferably from 8 to 10 centimeters. Where the height H is greater than the depth D the depth E of the roll of toilet paper104in escutcheon200will be slightly greater than a comparable distance E′, which is the radial outboard increase in depth due to pivoting of arm108caused by the abutment of back surface114against the wall106A. The fact that E>E′ when H>D preserves at least some of the benefit of using a recessed mount. Even so, care is preferably taken that the height H is not too great, since this may position a wet wipe dispensing surface206at a level that is too low for comfortable use. Accordingly, H is preferably greater than D and within a range from 6 to 12 centimeters in height between the top of dispenser110and the center of the toilet paper spindle. H is preferably from 8 to 10 centimeters in height. Since the arm108does not necessarily have to be co-located at the center of the dispenser110, in these alternative embodiments the height H may be taken as the shortest line extending from the center of the toilet paper spindle to the top of the dispenser110. In either case, the medial distance D remains as one half the total depth of the dispenser110because this aligns dimension D with a center of gravity of the wet wipe dispenser110.

The standard mounting height for toilet paper dispensers is on center to the toilet paper spindle twenty six inches (66 centimeters) from the floor.FIG. 3shows one example of a conventional toilet paper spindle300that may be purchased on commercial order. The toilet paper spindle300is made of an inner tubular body302that is telescopingly received into an outer tubular body304. An inner compression spring (not shown) biases the tubular bodies302,304into wall mounts306,308, which in combination may function as does the bracket102ofFIG. 1. A variety of spindles are known in the art and may also include, for example, threaded rod or wire that passes through the cardboard tube center (not shown) of a standard roll of toilet paper. As shown inFIG. 3, the toilet paper spindle300spans a distance of 5½ inches (14 centimeters). The average roll of toilet paper is about 10 centimeters wide, and so this spindle in the intended environment of use has a tolerance of 4 spare centimeters to accommodate rolls of toilet paper that are wider than average. Generally speaking, spindles in residential use frequently span from 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 centimeters).

FIG. 4is an assembly view of a wet wipe dispenser400, which may be the bathroom wipe dispenser100according to one embodiment. A wet wipe dispenser402corresponds to wet wipe dispenser110as described in context ofFIGS. 1 and 2. A cavity404is formed by mating engagement between a sliding nose406and a main body408connected to arm410. The sliding nose406is received within the main body408to a point where a flexi nib (not shown; seeFIG. 5) snaps into opening416. A finger tab418facilitates removal of the sliding nose406when the flexi nib is manually depressed. The flexi nib resides on a rounded wall420acting as a spring that biases the flexi nib into opening416. An ornamental side plate422snaps into the arm410to cover recess424. The arm410is integrally formed with a tube426having both: (1) an outside diameter that will fit within the cardboard roll within an ordinary roll of toilet paper, and (2) an inside diameter sized to receive a toilet paper spindle, such as is shown inFIG. 3. Where there is a single arm410located proximate a distal end428of the bathroom wipe dispenser400, the tube426imparts lateral stability that mitigates twisting in the intended environment of use. The inner diameter of the cardboard tube inside an ordinary roll of toilet paper is about 4 centimeters, which means there is plenty of room for tube426to fit within the cardboard tube when also sized to accept a toilet paper spindle. The arm424includes a first end430mounted to the tube426and a second end432attached to the wet wipe dispenser402.

FIG. 5is a midsection view taken along line5-5′ ofFIG. 1when the bathroom wipe dispenser100is the embodiment of bathroom wipe dispenser400as shown inFIG. 4. Mating engagement of the sliding nose406with main body408produces the cavity404, as well as opening500defined by beveled edges412,414. Here the flexi nib502is shown being received within opening416.

The opening500and cavity404are preferably sized with dimensions complimentary to a commercially available cartridge or package of wet wipes. By way of example,FIG. 6is a bottom view showing a refill package600of Cottonelle® wipes as may be purchased on commercial order from Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc. of Neenah Wis. The package600has a lid602that snaps onto a rim or lip604. The beveled edges412,414fit under the lip604as the sliding nose406mates with the main body408FIG. 7shows the fully assembled bathroom wipe dispenser400. It will be appreciated that the wet wipe dispensers110,402may be provided with adapters to accommodate a wide variety of commercially available wet wipe dispensers.

FIG. 8is an assembly view of a wet wipe dispenser800, which may be the bathroom wipe dispenser100according to another embodiment. A wet wipe dispenser802is formed as a union between main compartment804and door806. Pincers808,810are integrally formed with the door806for complementary engagement with receptacles812,814. This permits assembly by pivoting motion816such that a snap clip818engages catch820to form cavity822. A chamfered lip824demarcates a bottom opening826, which may be used to retain a package of wet wipes600as shown above in context ofFIGS. 6 and 7.FIG. 8Ais an expanded view providing additional detail about the nature of chamfered lip824. The door806optionally but preferably contains a bump-out to securely squeeze the package600to enhance retention in the cavity822. An arm830includes a first end832mounted to tube834and a second end836that is remote from the first end832and connects proximate a distal end838of the wet wipe dispenser802for support thereof. The tube834functions as described above in respect of tube426.

FIG. 9is a midsection taken along line5-5′ ofFIG. 1when the bathroom wipe dispenser100is the embodiment of bathroom wipe dispenser800as shown inFIG. 8. Here the package600is shown securely retained in the cavity824with the rim604retained in the chamfered edge824and the bump-out828squeezing the package body900which presents wet wipes for use upon removal of the lid602.

FIG. 10shows a third embodiment1000of the bathroom wipe dispenser100. The embodiment1000includes an arm1002that is threadably coupled with or adhered to tube1004and integrally formed with compartment top1004. The compartment top1004includes an opposed pair of downwardly extending ears1006that form hinges when mated with cylindrical bosses1008of compartment bottom1010. A spring locking nib of the bottom1010engages opening1012to form an interior cavity (not shown).

FIG. 11is an assembly view of the third embodiment1000. Here the bottom1010does not have separable components to define a bottom opening1100. Therefore, a spring1102that is stabilized by ends1104,1106received within the arm1102is provided to exert downward bias towards the opening1100. Thus, in context of the package600discussed above, the lid602may be removed so that lip602is biased towards the opening1100, which is of complimentary dimensions with respect to the lip602for the purpose of stabilizing the lip602proximate the opening1100when dispensing wet wipes through the opening1100.

FIG. 12is a midsection taken along line12-12′ ofFIG. 10. Here the spring1102is shown at a first position of rest1200when the package600(not shown) is removed from an interior cavity1202, and a second position of downward compression that occurs with the insertion of package600.

FIG. 13shows a removable arm that may be utilized in any of the first, second or third embodiments of the bathroom wipe dispenser100. The arm1300includes a stabilizing tube1302positioned remote from a dovetail base1304. A top wall1306of the wet wipe dispenser110is formed with rails1308,1310that interfit with grooves1312,1314in the dovetail base1304. Thus, as shown in the assembly view ofFIG. 14, the grooves1312,1314of the dovetail base1304may slidingly engage rails1308,1310as the dovetail base1304slides inward to cover opening1316.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the foregoing discussion teaches by way of example and not be limitation. Accordingly, what is shown and described may be subjected to insubstantial change without departing from the scope and spirit of invention. The inventor hereby states his intention to rely upon the Doctrine of Equivalents, if needed, in protecting his full rights in the invention.