Abstract:
A bedside butler unit dispenses hypoallergenic, antibacterial wet wipes and accommodates their disposal, following use. In one embodiment, the unit provides a safe, quick and discrete means for freshening up and readily disposing of clean-up materials. The unit is adapted to be placed on a vanity table or other easy to reach location near the bedside. It contains a sealed inner unit having a plurality of compartments. One of the compartments contains the hypoallergenic, antibacterial wet wipes, and another of the compartments serves as a disposal unit into which the wipes are conveniently placed after use. Additional compartments may be provided for dispensing dry wipes, and storing personal effects. In another embodiment, the unit is especially suited for use in hospitals, nursing homes and other patient care facilities to minimize the care provider&#39;s contact with soiled wipes, and thereby prevent the spread of infectious disease.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a unit for the dispensing and disposal of personal hygiene supplies; and more particularly, to a unit for dispensing pre-moistened personal hygiene wipes and, optionally, dry personal hygiene wipes, and for the sanitary disposal thereof. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The safe and convenient dispensing of personal hygiene items, and the disposal thereof after use, presents significant challenges, which are especially acute in a public or institutional settings such as hospitals, nursing homes and the like. In many cases, used items contain bodily fluids or wastes, and must therefore be handled carefully. In a medical facility, staff members handling these items may be exposed to contamination, with the result that infections or diseases may be inadvertently transmitted. Caregivers, such as those in nursing homes and daycare facilities, must regularly assist their clients when attending to their needs, often in situations of urgency. Owing to their age or medical condition, many of these clients may be particularly susceptible to contagion. The care needed by these clients requires frequent use of various wipes, tissues, and the like, which are then soiled and hence must be disposed in a safe, efficient, and aesthetically acceptable manner. Cleaning personnel are understandably averse to handling waste items, which may be unpleasant to touch and potentially harbor dangerous pathogens susceptible to transmission through inadvertent contact. Very stringent protocols are generally required in medical facilities, since infections tend to spread rapidly causing severe, potentially fatal, consequences. The possibility of infection extends even for home use, where convenient, sanitary disposal of used items remains important. Methods and means that facilitate safe, efficient, and cost-effective disposal of waste items with minimal possibility for contact are thus eagerly sought in each of these environments. 
     It has previously been proposed to combine dispensing and disposal functions that relate to personal hygiene. U.S. Pat. No. 2,007,042 to Duckett discloses a device for receiving used chewing gum. The device comprises a compartment for storing and dispensing inter-folded napkins and a receptacle. A user is thus encouraged to dispose of used gum by withdrawing a napkin, wrapping the gum in it, and depositing the wrapped gum into the receptacle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,440 to Ware discloses a disposal device for gum and the like. The device has a generally cubical housing, a disposable bag removably supported therein, and appropriate access openings for gum disposal and bag removal. Each of the sidewalls of the housing is formed with a slot therein for the insertion of a sheet of advertising or other printed display material. The sidewalls are made of transparent or clear plastic material for viewing the display material. The housing includes a recess in one of the sidewalls for holding a packet of wrapping tissues for the sanitary disposal of spent chewing gum. A turntable supports the housing for rotation on a tabletop, such that the sidewall mounted tissues may be brought within reach, and the display panels may be viewed by several persons seated at the same table. 
     Systems for dispensing tissues and the like and disposing of them after use have also been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,442 to Giovine discloses a receptacle for the selective removal of tissues and the storage of soiled tissues. Generally stated, the receptacle comprises a container having a first opening and a second opening. Each of the openings is disposed in opposite walls of the container. A movable partition is positioned within said container. Fresh clean tissues are positioned between the movable partition and one of the openings. A plastic bag waste receptacle is positioned between the movable partition and the second opening. The waste receptacle is positioned to expand to receive soiled tissues as fresh tissues are selectively removed from the first opening and thence deposited through the second opening into the waste receptacle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,296 to Parker discloses a tissue container and disposal container arrangement. The disposal container is supplied in a collapsed condition in a cavity in the tissue container. In use, the disposal container is removed from the cavity and erected to form a container into which used tissues may be deposited. A tether is attached at one end to the disposal container; a fastener pad is attached to the other end to allow the disposal container to be positioned and secured for ease of access thereto and the disposal or emptying of its contents. 
     Systems have also been proposed for dispensing both pre-moistened and dry hygienic wipes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,593 to Bloch et al. discloses a combined wet and dry sanitary tissue dispenser. A rear housing cooperates with a front housing to allow the dispenser to be refilled periodically with supply rolls of both wet and dry tissues. The dispenser has a lock for securing the front housing to prevent theft of either the roll of dry sanitary tissue or the roll of prewetted personal hygiene wipes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,249 to Harsanyi, Jr., et al., discloses a medical clean up kit comprising a container with multiple compartments for storing the clean up material. A first compartment dispensively houses a supply of moistened towelettes saturated with anti-pathogenic agents for destroying various viruses and bacteria. A second compartment dispensively houses a supply of dry towelettes. Various lids and closures are disclosed for sealing the compartments, and preventing the accidental spillage of anti-pathogenic agents that might precipitate from the moist towelettes. 
     None of the foregoing disclosures provides a dispensing unit having a tamper resistant disposal compartment. Even less do these disclosures facilitate disposal of used wipes using a method and means that avoids contact therewith by a caregiver, custodian, or the like. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a method and means that enables the safe and convenient dispensing of hygienic wipes and facilitates their disposal after use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a method and means for dispensing hypoallergenic, antibacterial wet wipes and accommodating disposal thereof, following their use. In one embodiment, the unit functions as a “Bedside Butler™” to provide a safe, quick and discrete means for freshening up and readily disposing of clean-up materials. The Bedside Butler™ is adapted to be placed on a vanity table or other easy to reach location near the bedside. It contains a sealed inner unit having a plurality of compartments. One of the compartments contains the hypoallergenic, antibacterial wet wipes, and another of the compartments serves as a disposal unit into which the wipes are conveniently placed after use. Additional compartments may be provided for dispensing dry wipes, and storing personal effects. In another embodiment, the unit is especially suited for use in hospitals, nursing homes and other patient care facilities to minimize the care provider&#39;s contact with soiled wipes, and thereby prevent the spread of infectious disease. 
     More specifically, there is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a unit for dispensing and disposing personal hygiene items. Such a unit comprises a housing having a top surface with a first housing dispensing aperture and a housing disposal aperture therein. The housing comprises a first dispensing container cavity and a disposal container cavity. A first dispensing container is removably disposed in the first dispensing container cavity. The first dispensing container has a first dispensing aperture therein that is substantially proximate and aligned with, and smaller in size than the first housing dispensing aperture. It is provided with a plurality of personal hygiene wipes adapted to be dispensed individually through the first dispensing aperture. A disposal container is removably disposed in the disposal container cavity. The disposal container is impervious. It has a tamper-resistant disposal aperture substantially proximate and aligned with, and smaller in size than the housing disposal aperture. The tamper-resistant aperture is adapted for disposal of spent personal hygiene wipes within the container. 
     Advantageously, the sealed inner unit is disposable and tamper resistant. Hygienic considerations are addressed and personal privacy is afforded. User concerns over contact with soiled wipes or invasion of privacy by tampering are alleviated. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numeral denote similar elements throughout the several views and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a unit for dispensing and disposal of personal hygiene items constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section view of a unit for dispensing and disposal of personal hygiene items comprising a housing having dispensing and disposal containers disposed therewithin, the cross-section being taken along lines  1 — 1  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of a tamper-resistant disposal aperture of the disposal container shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one form of the disposal container comprising a tamper resistant aperture in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a unit for dispensing and disposal of personal hygiene items constructed in accordance with the present invention in which a dispensing container and a disposal container are joined in a single assembly; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a unit for dispensing and disposal of both pre-moistened and dry personal hygiene items constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section view of a unit for dispensing and disposal of personal hygiene items comprising a housing having first and second dispensing containers and a disposal container therewithin, the cross-section being taken along lines  1 — 1  of FIG. 6; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a unit for dispensing and disposal of personal hygiene items comprising a removable top. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is directed to a unit for the dispensing and sanitary disposal of personal hygiene items such as pre-moistened wipes. Generally stated, the unit comprises a housing having removable dispensing and disposal containers therein. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is generally shown at  10  a unit for the dispensing and disposal of personal hygiene items. Unit  10  comprises housing  14  and an optional lid  12 . Housing  10  may have the shape of a generally rectangular prism as depicted, or it may have an oval or other shape. As depicted, optional lid  12  is hingedly attached to one edge of the top surface  16  of housing  14 . Alternatively, lid  12  may be fully detachable from housing  14  and may be adaptable to be inverted and thus to serve as a tray on which housing  14  may be rested when lid  12  is not in use as a closure for housing  14 . Unit  10  may further comprise latch means (not shown) for securing lid  12  to housing  14 . 
     As depicted in FIG. 2, unit  10  further comprises a first dispensing container cavity  18  and a disposal container cavity  30  within housing  14 . Top surface  16  of housing  14  has a first housing dispensing aperture  20  communicating with first dispensing container cavity  18  and a housing disposal aperture  32  communicating with disposal container cavity  30 . First dispensing container  22  having first dispensing aperture  24  is removably disposed in first dispensing container cavity  18 . First dispensing aperture  24  is substantially proximate and aligned with first housing dispensing aperture  20 . A plurality of single-use, pre-moistened, personal hygiene wipes  26  are provided in first dispensing container  22 . Wipes  26  may be removed individually by the user from first dispensing container  22  by extraction through first dispensing aperture  24 , which is preferably at least slightly smaller than first housing dispensing aperture  20  to facilitate extraction of wipes  26 . As illustrated, wipes  26  are provided in a conventional inter-folded manner, such that the removal of one wipe advances the next wipe into first dispensing aperture  24  to make it conveniently available for the next use. Alternatively (not shown), wipes  26  may be supplied from a roll, wherein individual wipes are defined by a line of serrations extending transversely of the roll. Preferably a flexible blocking means  28  attached to the inner surface of first dispensing container  22  and partially obstructing aperture  24  is provided to facilitate the dispensing of sheets  26  individually. Such a blocking means  28  also serves to hold a fresh sheet in position ready to be extracted by the user. As each sheet is withdrawn, the succeeding sheet is reliably drawn into position and frictionally held in readiness for the next use. Blocking means  28  may take any form known for the packaging of sheet goods, including (i) a pair of substantially coplanar plastic strips disposed adjacently so as to form a narrow slot between the strips and (ii) a plurality of flexible wedge-shaped flaps. Closure  29  (shown in the open position by FIG. 2) is optionally provided to hermetically seal container  22 , thereby reducing evaporation and extending the shelf life of wipes  26 . Although a flap-type closure  29  is depicted in FIG. 2, other forms of closure are also contemplated by the present invention, including snap lids, threaded lids, and re-sealable adhesive lids. Each of blocking means  28  and closure  29  also acts to inhibit any potential contamination of remaining sheets  26  from external sources. 
     Dispensing container  22  is composed of any suitable impervious material compatible with pre-moistened wipes  26 , including plastics and coated paper and cardboard materials known in the packaging art. Alternatively, dispensing container may be made impervious by provision of a separate impervious liner that prevents seepage of moisture from pre-moistened wipes. 
     A warming element  62  may optionally be provided in dispensing container cavity  18  for gently warming pre-moistened wipes  26  to a temperature comfortable for their use. Warming element  62  may be energized by connection to a source of household electrical current through power cord  64 . 
     Disposal container  34  comprising disposal aperture  36  is removably disposed in disposal container cavity  32 . Disposal aperture  24  is substantially proximate and aligned with, housing disposal aperture  20 . Disposal container  34  is appointed for the sanitary disposal of spent wipes  38  through disposal aperture  36 . Preferably disposal aperture  36  is at least slightly smaller than housing disposal aperture  32  to facilitate disposal of spent wipes  38  and to lessen the chance of transferring unwanted material from spent wipes  38  onto housing  14 , especially at housing disposal aperture  32 . Preferably, disposal aperture  36  is tamper-resistant. One form of tamper-resistant disposal aperture  36 , illustrated in FIG. 3, is generally circular and formed by cutting a plurality of crossed slots  37  in the wall of disposal container  34  to leave a plurality of generally wedge-shaped barbs  39 . Although two slots of substantially the same length are illustrated in FIG. 3, a larger number of slots may be used. Preferably the slots are of substantially similar length and uniformly disposed so their centers are substantially coincident. Barbs  39  inhibit the removal of objects from disposal container  34 . An alternative tamper-resistant aperture is shown by FIG.  4 . It comprises a flap  41  hingedly connected to the inside surface of disposal container  34 . The flap is openable downward into the interior volume of disposal container  34 , as illustrated by FIG.  4 . In the closed position (not shown) flap  39  at least partially covers disposal aperture  36 . Flap  41  inhibits the removal of objects from disposal container  34 . Other known forms of tamper-resistant aperture may also be used. A tamper-resistant aperture is preferred for the present invention, as it significantly reduces the prospect that a caregiver, cleaning person, subsequent user, or another person in the vicinity of the disposal compartment may inadvertently come into contact with a spent wipe  38 , on which bodily fluid or waste is likely present. As a result, with use of tamper-resistant aperture  36 , the chance for spread of infection is minimized. Disposal container  34  may be composed of a suitable plastic, such as polypropylene, nylon or PTFE, wood, or the like. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, illustrated by FIG. 5, dispensing container  22  and disposal container  34  are joined in a single self-supporting assembly  52  having a dispensing compartment  54  and a disposal compartment  56  separated by an impervious barrier  58 . For use in this embodiment, housing  14  has a single housing cavity  50  in which assembly  52  is removably disposed. Such an arrangement advantageously allows the re-supply of fresh wipes and disposal of the spent wipes to be accomplished in a single operation by exchange of assembly  52 . This means of servicing may be of particular utility in the context of a medical facility or other similar setting. Protocols in these settings often require that each client be furnished individually with personal hygiene items appointed for use exclusively for that individual&#39;s needs. An important feature of the present invention is its ability to facilitate this segregation and safe handling of fresh and spent materials. 
     In another aspect of the invention, illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 7, unit  10  is appointed for the dispensing of personal hygiene wipes from two source containers. As best shown by FIG. 6, top surface  16  of housing  14  has a first housing dispensing aperture  20  communicating with first dispensing container cavity  18 , a second housing dispensing aperture  42  communicating with second dispensing container cavity  18 , and a housing disposal aperture  32  communicating with disposal container cavity  40 . As shown by FIG. 7, first dispensing container  22 , having first dispensing aperture  24 , is removably disposed in first dispensing container cavity  18 . First dispensing aperture  24  is substantially proximate and aligned with, first housing dispensing aperture  20 . A plurality of single-use, pre-moistened, personal hygiene wipes  26  are provided in first dispensing container  22 . Flexible blocking means  28  and closure  29  are preferably provided for first dispensing container  22 . Second dispensing container  44  having second dispensing aperture  46  is removably disposed in second dispensing container cavity  40 . Second dispensing aperture  46  is substantially proximate and aligned with, second housing dispensing aperture  42 . A plurality of single-use, dry, personal hygiene wipes  48  are provided in second dispensing container  44 . Flexible blocking means (not shown) similar to that appointed for first dispensing container  22  may also be provided for second dispensing container  44 . A closure may also be provided for second dispensing container  44 . Wipes  48  may be removed individually by the user from second dispensing container  44  by extraction through second dispensing aperture  46 , which is preferably at least slightly smaller than second housing dispensing aperture  42  to facilitate extraction of wipes  48 . As illustrated, wipes  48  are provided in a conventional inter-folded manner, such that the removal of one wipe advances the next wipe into aperture  46  to make it conveniently available for the next use. Alternatively (not shown), wipes  48  may be supplied from a roll, wherein individual wipes are defined by a line of serrations extending transversely of the roll. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that unit  10  may be readily equipped to dispense such products as wipes, tissues, and the like, as well as other products in sheet form, by the inclusion of further cavities and dispensing apertures in housing  14 . Exemplary products that may be dispensed include perfume strips, eyeglass cleaning tissues, napkins, cotton swabs, and the like. 
     Furthermore, it will be appreciated that while FIG. 7 illustrates a unit appointed for dispensing different products from respective containers  22  and  44 , i.e., pre-moistened and dry wipes, the same product may be dispensed from both portions of the unit. This arrangement advantageously allows one dispensing container to be held in reserve to assure a continuous supply of wipes when the other container is exhausted and replenishment has not yet occurred. 
     In still another aspect, housing  16  comprises additional features, including at least one storage compartment in which other personal effects or toiletries may be placed for safekeeping and convenient access. Lid  12  may also comprise one or more storage compartments. 
     The likelihood of proper disposal of used personal hygiene items is enhanced by the features of the present unit, which provide convenient, discreet disposal means proximate the location at which the items are supplied and used. In addition, combining, in a single, disposable unit, the source of the hygiene items and a means for their disposal after use enhances the efficiency of operating an institutional facility, as custodial staff may, in one operation, replenish the supply of new items and safely remove those already used. 
     The dispensing containers of the invention are provided with a plurality of sheets of personal hygiene wipes. The wipes may be packaged in ways known in the art. As noted hereinabove, in one form of packaging, each of the dispensing compartments  54  contains a plurality of folded fresh sheets that substantially conform to the dimensions of dispensing compartment  54 . Sheets are positioned within the dispensing compartment  54  such that they can be selectively extracted through the aperture in the upper surface of the respective dispensing container. The aperture can have a variety of shapes but often is round or oval in aspect. Individual sheets may be present and folded in interlock, such that when one sheet is extracted through the aperture, another sheet is raised into the aperture or slit, positioning it in readiness for convenient extraction when next desired by the user. 
     In another form of packaging, the sheets are disposed on a roll with transverse serrations that define individual sheets. The outside end of the roll is threaded through the aperture to allow removal of individual sheets. As sheets are extracted, the roll unwinds and each sheet, in turn, is removed by tearing it along the serrations in the conventional way. 
     In still another form of packaging, sheets are also disposed on a roll with transverse serrations, but the sheets are fed from the inside side of the roll. The operability of this construction is facilitated by provision of an aperture defined by crossed slits in the top of the sealed inner unit. 
     In one aspect of the invention, each of the pre-moistened personal hygiene sheets provided in dispensing compartment  54  further comprises an agent that endows the sheet with antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, or antipathogenic capabilities. Any agent known in the art to have such properties and to be compatible with application to human skin and mucous membranes may be used. It is preferred that the constituents of the pre-moistened sheet be hypoallergenic. 
     Housing  10  of the invention may be composed of a variety of materials. Wood and wood-based materials may be used and provide a decorative, aesthetically pleasing appearance. Rigid or semi-rigid plastics may be used for ease of cleaning and possibly sterilization. Metal, preferably stainless steel, may also be used for durability and ease of cleaning and repeated sterilization. The housing may be fabricated by assembly of individual component pieces or by casting, molding, or stamping using any known technique. 
     In the aspects of the invention depicted in FIGS. 1 and 6, housing  14  is appointed to rest directly on a table or similar surface, so that containers  22 ,  44 ,  34 , or  52  are constrained to remain inside respective cavities  18 ,  40 ,  30 , and  50  by cooperation of housing  14  and the surface on which the unit rests. Alternatively, unit  10  may further comprise a bottom openably connected to housing  14 . The bottom may be hinged or fully detachable, either form allowing insertion and removal of the dispensing and disposal containers. The bottom may be affixed to housing  14  by any suitable snap fit or separate latching means or it may slidably engage grooves provided in housing  14 . A locking means may be provided to secure the bottom to housing  14 , thereby discouraging unauthorized removal of either dispensing or disposal containers. 
     In FIG. 8 there is shown a further aspect of the invention. In the embodiment shown, top surface  16  of housing  14  comprises removable top  13 . Preferably, top  13  is attached to the remainder of housing  14  by a snap fit at joint line  15 . In this aspect, housing  14  preferably has a solid bottom that is adjacent the surface on which unit  10  is placed. The solid bottom further acts to define the bottom of the cavities in which dispensing and disposal containers are placed. 
     Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to but that various changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the subjoined claims.