Abstract:
A dispenser for dispensing healthcare products comprising at least one dispenser section having at least one dispensing orifice and one disposal section having a disposal opening. The disposal section has fully compressed and fully uncompressed positions and is capable of remaining positioned in any position between the fully compressed and uncompressed positions.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to the field of healthcare product dispensing, and more particularly is a mobile and convenient dispenser and disposal unit for use in providing a supply of healthcare products to be used by people. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the past, people have typically obtained their healthcare supplies from units that only dispense, such as tissues dispensed from cardboard boxes. These dispensers do not typically include a disposal unit, thereby necessitating use of the dispenser supplies near a trash receptacle or requiring the user to carry the used, and possibly unsanitary, healthcare products, such as tissues. Also, some users may simply leave the used supplies next to the dispenser resulting in unsanitary, messy and unsightly conditions. To alleviate this problem, others have created dispensers that are attached or incorporated with the dispenser; however, joint units are bulky. 
         [0003]    A number of devices have been designed for both dispensing supplies and disposing thereof after use. Most such devices have fixed dispensing and disposal unit volumes, such as described by Neumann in U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,837 and Meyer, Jr. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,612. These devices are bulky and require additional space since they have fixed dispensing and disposal volumes; thereby rendering them less likely to fit in small areas and requiring more space on retailer shelves. Certain other devices share space between the dispensing and disposal sections, such as those described by Horn in U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,928 and Parks in U.S. Pat No. 5,129,545. As tissues are dispensed from a fixed volume in these devices, space is vacated for the storage of the used tissues. In addition to the fixed volume problems mentioned above, this approach is problematic because the volume emptied by the removal of such supplies is not likely equal to the volume required to dispose of the used supplies. Accordingly, used supplies either do not fit into the disposal section, or more likely, additional volume must be allowed for in the design of the device, thereby resulting in a larger device that creates space problems. One device described by McPherson in U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,302 addresses these concerns by adding a collapsible disposal unit; however, this addresses only the marketing shelf space issue and upon expansion of the fixed volume disposal section the same space issues and problems arise as with the fixed volume dispensers. 
         [0004]    As mentioned, healthcare product dispensing technologies, namely tissue dispensing technologies, are fairly well developed; however, existing technologies do not maximize the effective use of such technologies. Further, existing dispensers do not provide convenient and space efficient disposal mechanisms. As a result, significant improvement can still be made in the area of healthcare product dispensing and waste handling and disposal. 
         [0005]    It is the primary object of the present invention to enable people to dispense, use and dispose of healthcare products from a single dispensing and disposal device that uses a minimum amount of store shelf space and user space. Another object of the invention is to permit people to take advantage of the convenient and compact dispenser to conveniently and hygienically use healthcare products in environments they may not otherwise use the products, for example, in an automobile, next to a swimming pool, at the beach or in other mobile, outside or non-home environments. Another object of the invention is to make the disposal of used healthcare products easier by including a disposal device which permits easy and convenient disposal of used healthcare products by the person. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is a dispenser comprised of a healthcare product dispenser section and a disposal section to permit convenient disposal of the waste products. The disposal section is constructed such that it may be almost entirely collapsed, fully expanded or opened to an intermediate position. As a result of the device, people can use and dispose of healthcare products with a single dispenser, thereby permitting greater cleanliness and convenient use of the invention in a variety of environments. 
         [0007]    The size and shape specifications of the healthcare products and dispenser can be varied and they can be positioned in a variety of arrangements. In one embodiment, the products are heavy-duty tissues dispensed from a cartridge, either disposable or refillable, out of the bottom of the dispenser section of the invention and the disposal section has side walls that are an accordion-like shape, thereby permitting the disposal section to be expanded and contracted by the user into fully compressed, uncompressed and intermediate positions. In another embodiment, the invention is a single integrally constructed unit with dispenser and disposal sections and the entire dispenser invention is disposable for user convenience. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, in its closed/compressed state. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1A , in its open or uncompressed state. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in its closed/compressed state. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of  FIG. 2A  in its open/uncompressed state. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the dispensing end of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the disposal end of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective views of the invention being depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , parts being broken away for clarity. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of an embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , parts being broken away for clarity. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view like that of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  depicting another embodiment of the present invention, parts broken away for clarity. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    As illustrated in the perspective of  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A and  2 B a dispenser  10  is shown having a generally vertical configuration, although the dispenser can easily be used horizontally and other and different exterior configurations may be used as desired as demonstrated in part in the differing cylindrical shape shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , and rectangular shape shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Dispenser  10  is comprised of two major sections, a dispenser section  16  separated from a disposal section  15  by the dispenser section top  18  and/or disposal section bottom  18 . Dispenser section  16  defines a volume to house a supply of tissues  30  that can be pulled through a dispensing orifice  31  defined in the bottom wall  42  of the dispenser  10  in a “pop out” manner well known in the prior art. The tissues may either be sealed into a disposable dispenser section  16  or refilled with a tissue cartridge as shown and described in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0018]    The disposal section  15  defines a refuse volume  27  for receiving used tissues. Used tissues are inserted into the refuse volume  27  through a disposal orifice  40  located on the top wall  45  of the disposal section  15 . The refuse volume  27  can be increased or decreased by expanding or contracting the flexible bellows  26  of the disposal section  15 . The disposal volume  27  is shown at its minimum in  FIGS. 1A and 2A  where the flexible bellows  26  are compressed and at its maximum volume in  FIGS. 1B and 2B  where the flexible bellows  26  are uncompressed. The flexible bellows  26  can be made from any material that provides flexible movement with sufficient rigidity to hold its shape, such as plastic, rubber or cardboard. 
         [0019]    The dispenser  10  preferably is provided with a handle  50  to permit easy carrying; however, it should be understood that other carrying or fastening techniques may be employed as well such as a longer cord or rope or a sliding eyelet and bolt fastening apparatus allowing the dispensers to be removably secured to a supporting wall or structure. 
         [0020]    The dispenser section  16  is shown in greater detail in the perspective of  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment the dispenser section  16  is a disposable unit in which the tissues  30  are pre-packaged inside the dispenser volume for removal through the dispensing orifice  31 . Upon purchase of the dispenser  10  or installation of a new dispenser section  16  with a fresh supply of tissues  30  the dispensing orifice  31  is covered with a removable seal to keep the tissues  30  clean and dry. 
         [0021]    The disposal section  15  is shown in greater detail in the perspective of  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment the dispenser section  15  has a disposal orifice  40  in the top wall  45  of the disposal section  15  permitting used tissues to be placed in the refuse volume  27 . The disposal orifice  40  can also be covered by an optional insert plug  41  to shelter the tissue refuse from the outside atmosphere. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the dispenser  10 , depicted in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B the dispenser section  16  and the disposal lid  48  are removable from the dispenser  10 . The flexible bellows  26  section has connecting ends. In  FIGS. 5A and 6A , the disposal cap connecting end  42   a  and dispenser section end  42   b  are threaded to mate, respectively, with the disposal lid threads  43   a  and dispenser section threads  43   b.  In  FIGS. 5B and 6B , the disposal cap connecting end  46   a  and dispenser section end  46   b  are formed to fit together either by adhesion or fastening means, such as glue or snaps, with the disposal lip  47   a  and dispenser section lip  47   b.  Removal of the dispenser section  16  permits the user to resupply tissues  30  by attaching a new dispenser section  16 . Removal of the disposal lid  48  or the dispenser section  16  permits the user to empty and/or clean the refuse volume  27 . 
         [0023]    In another embodiment of the dispenser  10 , depicted in  FIG. 7 , the dispenser section  16  defines a dispensing volume  20  adapted to removably house and secure a tissue cartridge  25 . The tissue cartridge  25  is secured by fitting snugly into the dispensing volume  20  or alternatively by using clips or other restraining devices. The tissue cartridge  25  contains a multiplicity of tissues  30  that can be pulled through the dispensing orifice  31  defined in the bottom wall  42  of the dispenser section  16 . Access to the dispensing volume  20  is provided by a pivotable door  51  forming all of or a portion of the bottom wall  42  of the dispenser section  16 . The door  51  is mounted to the disposal section  16  by hinges  52  and is secured in a closed position by a latch mechanism  53  positioned opposite the hinges  52 . When the tissues  30  in a tissue cartridge  25  are exhausted, it may easily be replaced with a new tissue cartridge  25 . 
         [0024]    The preceding description of the invention has shown and described certain embodiments thereof, however, it is intended by way of illustration and example only and not by way of limitation. Those skilled in the art should understand that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.