Abstract:
A personal hygiene cleansing system is disclosed which stores and dispenses various personal hygiene components in a non-sequential order through a dispensing storage component. The package also includes a storage opening for refuse containment of at least all of the different components inclusive to the cleaning system and additional stowage of generated refuse not borne of the cleansing system relative to the user&#39;s restroom needs.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a portable and disposable personal hygiene cleansing system which specifically stores and dispenses personal hygiene components in a non-sequential order. The cleansing system includes a compliant package having a dispensing opening, a hand protection device having contact area cleansing and drying features, and personal hygiene and/or related components independently accessible via another dispensing/storage opening.  
         DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0002]    Users of public restrooms typically respond to public restrooms with a certain amount of fear and apprehension. The reason for this is that public facilities are generally not considered by users as clean, convenient or well-equipped environments. Additionally, it has been held by the medical community that a public restroom can pose potential health problems due to contact with unclean surface areas. The result is that a large population of restroom patrons do not feel confident using public and/or unfamiliar facilities due to the presence of germs and bacteria on unclean contact surfaces. Moreover, such facilities are subject to a minimal degree of maintenance, or lack thereof As such, basic restroom supplies needed by a patron may or may not be available, including essentials such as toilet tissue or hand soap, and, to a lesser degree of basic need, items such as toilet seat liners, moistened towellettes and hand sanitizer. Also, with respect to these items, if the products are available, they may exist in an undesirable or inoperative condition, thus precluding the user&#39;s reasonable expectation of a restroom function. Therefore, a need exists for a complete, self-sufficient personal hygiene cleansing system. As to date, no such combination of components and/or method exists to fully satisfy the described user needs.  
           [0003]    In the Cook et al patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,057), the patent discloses a personal care convenience kit which dispenses different hygiene components in a sequential, one item for use at a time fashion through a single dispensing opening. A shortcoming of the Cook patent is that it is not designed as a multi-folding unit so as to minimize overall closed dimensions while maximizing an open state area. Another shortcoming is that it does not facilitate the storage and/or containment of system generated, non-flushable refuse via a waste receptacle. A further shortcoming is that it does not utilize a non-restrictive dispensing compartment in order to store and dispense one or more various individual components in a non-sequential order. A still further shortcoming is that it does not provide or suggest the use of a hand-protecting cleansing glove or mitt as part of the cleansing system. A still further shortcoming is that it does not provide for the included toilet paper component to consist of separate sheets made ready for immediate use by the user without additional encumbrances thereupon such as the inherent need for a two handed operation in which to manually separate needed sheets from an included bulk supply. A still further shortcoming is that it does not provide a minimal folded toilet seat liner so as to reduce user&#39;s mandatory handling prior to usage and probable risk of damage to the component. A still further shortcoming is that it does not provide for a component to hygienically remove the toilet seat liner from the toilet seat in the event the seat liner becomes adhered to the toilet seat following use. And a final but not exclusive shortcoming is that it does not provide for an exterior storage compartment with a reclosable fastener and a tamper-evident feature which, as a unit is sealed to the exterior of the carrying component allowing for additional component storage as desired by the individual user.  
           [0004]    In the James et al patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,044), the patent discloses a flexible cleaning and drying mitt that has a pouch compartment that is proportioned for receiving the hand of a user. The mitt has work surfaces that includes a wetting face and a drying face. A shortcoming of the James et al patent is that it does not provide for a collapsable bladder in which a fluid can be stored and released onto the attached absorbent material; of which, by location on the cleansing glove can reduce actual and/or perceived physical contact sensation to the affected finger tips and finger pads, thus minimizing user&#39;s apprehension associated with potential contamination via undesirable contact from unclean contact areas. A further shortcoming is that it does not incorporate onto the design of the cleaning glove an articulated thumb(s) cavity to promote added dexterity. A final but not exclusive shortcoming is that it does not provide for an enlarged and/or protruding, extruded and/or extended pull tab surface area located at or near the wrist area of the cleaning glove which provides for a pull-tab function to aid glove removal in a further effort to reduce cross-contamination.  
           [0005]    In the Oster patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,789), and also in the Morin patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,934), the patents disclose mitt-like cleaning pads having cavities to receive a hand. A shortcoming of these patents is that they do not provide for an ambidextrous hand protecting cleansing devise consisting of a covering for the hand having either a six digit glove, a three digit mitt, or separate sections for each of the fingers and the thumb while extending part way up the arm while allowing for either left or right hand acceptance in its entirety so as to provide more complete hand protection. A final but not exclusive shortcoming is that they do not provide for a one-hand operable protective glove with respect to hand acceptance, detachment from carrying component, and the utilization of the wet cleansing pad and/or dry wipe pad.  
           [0006]    A striking improvement to the systems and devices described above would be to to provide an apparatus and method of using the apparatus which would include one or more personal hygiene cleansing products or product(s) relative thereto, enveloped and/or fastened onto a moisture impervious thermoplastic or alternative material housing, in such a way as to facilitate simplified non-sequential removal of components in order to simplify the cleansing process. Such an apparatus would address the diverse needs of the user, as well as provide for added refuse, and ultimately promote the safe discarding of the entire package with the ultimate result of reducing a user&#39;s efforts and minimizing an overall handling of both package and contents.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The multifunction personal hygiene cleansing system of the present invention provides a viable remedy to this long standing and ever increasing problem associated with restroom use by providing users with a portable system facilitating the diverse functions of restroom activities in a simplified and hygienic manner. The present invention functions as a one package/one use system, relative to the needs of the user while providing for added capacity for discarding of the entire package with a reduced exterior contamination. As detailed below, the present invention is a foldable carrying component that minimizes overall closed dimensions while maximizing an open state with the packing arrangement providing accessibility for various system components while in the open state.  
           [0008]    In the opened and operational state, the component may be securably mounted via an attached mounting strip onto a surface such as a restroom stall wall or door. The mounting strip is on the inside of the closed unit so as to preclude possible damage to the mounting strip until used. In a simplicity of presentation, translucent material(s) are employed for the system&#39;s component storage and refuse containment.  
           [0009]    Additional layout of the unit-type construction includes one or a plurality of personal hygiene cleansing products. The products are enveloped and/or fastened via a suitable adhesive onto the carrying component in such a way as to facilitate non-sequential removal of the components from the package.  
           [0010]    The present cleaning system also provides a hand-protecting cleansing glove or mitt for antiseptic “wet” cleaning and drying of potential contact areas relative to restroom use. The hand-protecting cleaning glove may be outfitted with articulated extensions or thumb cavities to promote added dexterity as well as ambidextrous use with the articulated thumb cavity providing a protected ability to release a liquid cleansing agent onto the attached cleaning pad. The cleaning pad is made suitably wet by the agent via a weak piercable film of the liquid agent storage housing. The hand protecting cleaning glove also provides a protruding surface area located at or near the wrist area of the system&#39;s cleaning glove. The protruding area provides a readily accessible pull-tab aiding in glove removal by pulling the glove inside out to insulate contaminated areas away from unwanted contact with the user. The present cleaning system also facilitates the containment of generated refuse by the system via an incorporated waste receptacle. The cleaning glove includes a dry wipe pad affixed to the back side of the glove which can be used in conjunction with an individually enclosed cleansing towellette. Preferably the protective glove would have a pre-moistened cleaning pad on the front side of the hand and a dry wipe pad on the back side of the hand; however, alternative arrangements may be used.  
           [0011]    Additionally, the system includes an exterior storage compartment which is affixed to the carrying component. The exterior storage component may include a tamper-evident feature and/or a resealable feature. Users can use the exterior storage compartment to supplement the cleansing system to include component(s) of their choice such as additional hand wipes, medicated wipes, tampons, hand sanitizer, cotton tipped swabs, hand cream or other items of the user&#39;s choice.  
           [0012]    The system may include a component promoting a fragrance, such as a typically found “fresh” scent. This component can be incorporated onto the interior of carrying component and activated by the opening of the carrying component or as a stand alone attached component within the carrying component.  
           [0013]    Accordingly, following system use and upon the user compacting the component package into the waste compartment, both the system&#39;s housing and added refuse can then be folded into itself so as to sufficiently secure enclosed refuse. The used system would then be made ready for disposal into an appropriate trash receptacle.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood with reference to the following associated drawings, wherein like features are given the same reference numeral, and:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a profile view of the personal hygiene cleansing system of the present invention with the cleansing system shown in a ready-to-use state and with the protective glove shown detached for purposes of illustration;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a profile view of the personal hygiene cleansing system of the present invention with the cleansing system shown in a portable closed state;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the protective glove of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the protective glove&#39;s anti-bacterial pad being dampened prior to a sanitizing operation, which is shown detached for purposes of illustration;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the protective glove of the present invention with the dampened wipe pad shown in a wiping operation;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the protective glove of the present invention with the glove being inverted for future disposal;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cleansing system of the present invention with the view depicting the use of the tissue liner; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a profile view of the cleansing system of the present invention depicting the folding directions used for closing the carrying component.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0023]    Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are achieved by various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed elements, which are discussed in greater detail below, wherein FIG. 1, a personal hygiene cleansing system  10  of the present invention is shown in a ready-to-use state. The personal hygiene cleansing system  10 , hereinafter identified as the “cleansing system”, comprises a foldable carrying component  12  with the carrying component including but not limited to the hygiene products of a hand-protective glove  14  (shown detached for illustrative purposes), a toilet seat tissue liner  16 , a supply of toilet paper  18 , a disposable towelette  20 , a receptacle  22 , hand sanitizer  24 , air freshener packet  25 , and cotton swab packet  26 .  
         [0024]    The hygiene products are configured in the carrying component  12  for easy access by the user but are not configured for a limiting sequential use. Attachment of the hygiene components to an inner surface  28  may be accomplished by a glueing section  29  or any other affixing section easily detachable by the user. Alternative configurations of hygiene products may be disposed in the carrying component  12  to suit varying physical demands of the user. Surplus storage for hygiene products such as toilet paper, toilet seat liner, and/or other hygiene products may be in a reclosable, translucent component storage bag  30 , in which the component storage bag is detachable by the glueing section  29  or any other affixing section.  
         [0025]    The carrying component  12  is a foldable membrane preferably made of plastic; however, alternative packaging materials known to those skilled in the art may be used. In the figure, a longitudinally extending mounting strip  31  is disposed between a first fold  32  and a mounting edge  33 . As will be discussed in detail below, the mounting strip provides an attachment point for the carrying component  12  for attachment to exterior surface such a restroom receptacle wall.  
         [0026]    In use, the cleansing system  10  is brought by a user to the receptacle of a restroom. The carrying component  12  in FIG. 2 is opened by tearing open a peel seal  34  and/or a pull tab  35  associated with the peel seal with the peel seal  34  disposed on edge  36 . The peel seal may include a fresh scent fragrance activated upon the opening of the carrying component  12 . Once the peel seal  34  is torn open, the edge  36  and sidewall  38  are expanded outwardly in directions  40  and  42 , exposing the hygiene products of the cleansing system  10 . The mounting edge  33  (shown in FIG. 1) is folded away from the inner surface  28  at the first fold  32 . The mounting strip  31  is originally enclosed within the carrying component  12  to prevent damage to the mounting strip before it is used as part of the cleansing system. The adhesive mounting strip  31  is attached to an exterior surface within the restroom receptacle.  
         [0027]    An exterior storage compartment  43  with a reclosable fastener and a tamper-evident feature is sealed to the exterior surface  44  of the carrying component  12 . The exterior storage compartment  43  provides storage for any additional hygiene product desired by the individual user. Similar to the carrying component, the exterior storage component may be accessed by an additional peel  34 .  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 3, when in use a user inserts their hand into the protective glove  14  and in the same motion detaches the protective glove  14  from the carrying component  12  (shown in FIG. 1). The protective glove is preferably an oversized disposable glove of approximately of 1.5 mils thickness; however, alternative glove material types providing a septic barrier would be known to those skilled in the art. The protective glove  14  is preferably an ambidextrous glove with three-digit leading extensions  45  and two articulating extensions  46  is shown; however an ambidextrous protective glove  14  having six digit extensions or alternate digit extensions may be used. A first profile  48  of the glove is provided with an anti-bacterial pad  50  attached to the leading extensions  45  and manipulated by the leading extensions  45  for a cleaning motion.  
         [0029]    As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the anti-bacterial pad  50  preferably includes a plastic collapsible bladder or reservoir of anti-bacterial cleansing agent  52  wherein the cleansing agent dampens an absorbent membrane  53  upon a rupturing force of the protective film  54  by the articulating extension  46 . If the protective glove is utilized for functions other than the personal hygiene system, then contents of the collapsable bladder or reservoir may vary according to the designated use. Upon dampening of the pad  50 , the user in a cleaning motion with the leading extensions  45 , wipes all contact areas of the restroom receptacle based upon their individual hygienic concerns.  
         [0030]    Once the contact areas have been cleaned to the user&#39;s satisfaction, a wipe pad  56  of the protective glove  14  is used to provide dry contact areas of the restroom receptacle. Shown in FIG. 5, the wipe pad provides the ease of utility of the anti-bacterial pad  50 . The wipe pad  56  is attached to an opposite profile  58  in proximity to the leading extensions  45  of the protective glove  14 . The wipe pad  56  wipes all dampened contact area of the receptacle or any other contact areas based upon an individual user&#39;s needs. Upon completion of sanitizing any contact areas by dampening and/or drying, the protective glove  14  is ready to be discarded.  
         [0031]    As shown in FIG. 6, an extruded and/or extended pulltab  60  is provided at the base  62  of the protective glove  14  such that the glove may be pulled by the tab in the direction of the leading extensions  45 . By pulling the glove off in this manner, the exterior surface  66  of the glove becomes an interior area  70  with the waste products of the sanitizing operation on the exterior surface  66  being contained the newly formed interior area  70 . By being contained in the interior area  70 , the waste products can be disposed of into the receptacle  22  with reduced contact to the user.  
         [0032]    As shown in FIG. 7, the tissue liner  16  is detached and/or removed from the carrying component  30  and applied to a toilet seat  72  or similar receptacle. Once used, the tissue liner  16  may be deposited in the receptacle  22  or flushed. If necessary, a cotton swab from the cotton swab packet  26  may be used to hygienically remove the toilet seat liner from the toilet seat in the event the seat liner becomes adhered to the toilet seat following use. Similar to the use of the tissue liner  16 , the hand sanitizer  24 , air freshener packet  25 , cotton swab packet  26 , and/or the towelette  20  may be detached and discarded in the receptacle  22 . Once the user has finished with the cleansing system  10 , the carrying component  12  and is detached from the exterior surface of the restroom receptacle. The carrying component  12  is refolded to the configuration of FIG. 2. Using folding direction  76  shown in FIG. 8, the receptacle  22  is folded upward to the carrying component  12  along fold line  78 . The edge  36  and sidewall  38  of the carrying component  12  are folded in direction  80  and  82  along fold lines  84  and  86  to form the closed carrying component. The carrying component  12  is then deposited in a proper waste receptacle. The hand sanitizer  24  previously detached from the carrying component  12  can be used for a final cleaning.  
         [0033]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, modifications and variations may be made thereto by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments might be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to be limitative of the invention so further described in such appended claims.