Abstract:
A convertible wiping-substrate dispenser that may be mounted on an upright surface such as a wall or mirror, or combined with a stand for placement on horizontal surface. The dispenser may have a durable or disposable container for the wiping substrate.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/003,388, entitled Wiping Substrate Dispenser, and filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 16, 2007. The entirety of provisional application Ser. No. 61/003,388 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Drying hands on a towel that has been used by another is unsanitary. Germs start multiplying on a damp towel immediately after it is used. Especially at a party or in a family where multiple persons are using the same towel, germs are easily transferred and viruses spread. One solution to this problem is to provide a stack of clean towels for each hand drying session. One reasonable way to do this is to provide paper towels. 
         [0003]    Paper towels typically come in roll form. Many consumers have roll dispensers in their kitchens, but it is not something most persons would want to have in a bathroom. Mostly, it is not aesthetically pleasing to see a roll of paper towels in a bathroom setting. Another problem is space. Roll dispensers are usually bulky on a counter top or extend too far out from a wall. In addition, it may take two hands to tear off a towel. 
         [0004]    What is needed is a towel dispenser that is aesthetically pleasing and does not take up valuable space in a small bathroom. Further, it is desirable to have a dispenser that does not require two hands to retrieve a towel therefrom. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the invention there is a dispenser for a wiping substrate, the dispenser including, a container, a bracket, and at least one additional structure selected from a group consisting of a connector and a stand. The container is defined by a first side, a second side, a front face, a back panel, a top panel, and a bottom panel. A first flange extends from an edge located between first side and the back panel, and a second flange extends from an edge located between second side and the back panel. The bracket includes a pair of side rails connected to a bottom rail, the pair of side rails having a pair of spaced apart slots for engaging the first flange and the second flange. The container defines a volume and has an opening therein for access to the wiping substrate. 
         [0006]    In one aspect of the invention there is a wiping substrate dispenser including a container defining a volume for holding a stack of wiping substrate, the container having an opening, and wherein the container is defined by a first side, a second side, a front face, a back panel, a top panel, and a bottom panel. The dispenser further includes a bracket for holding and maintaining the container in a desired position, and a stand that is selectively attached to the bracket. The stand is defined by a horizontal member and an upright portion so that the bracket and container may be elevated above a surface. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect of the invention is a kit for dispensing a sheet substrate that includes a stack of wiping substrate; a container defining a volume for holding the stack of wiping substrate, the container having an opening; wherein the container is defined by a first side, a second side, a front face, a back panel, a top panel, and a bottom panel; a U-shaped bracket for holding and maintaining the container in a desired position; a stand that is selectively attached to the U-shaped bracket, the stand defined by a horizontal member and an upright portion so that the U-shaped bracket and container may be elevated above a surface; and a connector for selectively attaching the bracket to an upright structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective, cut-away view of a first embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a partial view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 , showing one embodiment of a stand; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a rear partial perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5   a  is a plan view of the bracket of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of one embodiment of a carton blank that could be used with the dispensers of  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a carton support used in conjunction with the dispensers of  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention, installed on a mirror; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the dispenser shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a top elevation of a carton with the carton support of  FIG. 7  attached thereto; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a top elevation of a carton with a pair of tabs attached thereto to form flanges. 
       
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
       [0020]    As used herein, the terms “configure” or “configuration” means to design, arrange, set up, or shape with a view to specific applications or uses. For example: a military vehicle that was configured for rough terrain; configured the computer by setting the system&#39;s parameters. 
         [0021]    As used herein, the term “hinge” refers to a jointed or flexible device that connects and permits pivoting or turning of a part to a stationary component. Hinges include, but are not limited to, metal pivotable connectors, such as those used to fasten a door to frame, and living hinges. Living hinges may be constructed from plastic and formed integrally between two members. A living hinge permits pivotable movement of one member in relation to another connected member. 
         [0022]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. 
         [0023]    The term “attached,” is a connection of two or more objects that is not necessarily direct, and not necessarily mechanical. 
         [0024]    These terms may be defined with additional language in the remaining portions of the specification. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example and embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the invention include these and other modifications and variations as coming within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the dispenser  10  of the present invention includes a container  12  for dispensing wiping substrates  14 , and a bracket  16  for supporting the container  12 . An optional stand  18  may be connected to the bracket  16  so the dispenser may be placed on a horizontal surface. In addition to the stand  18  or in the alternative thereto, each bracket  16  may have a connector  56  for attaching the bracket  16  to a mirror or wall as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the bracket  16  is the basic structure of the dispenser  10  common to all the embodiments described herein. The bracket  16  may have many configurations that serve to support a container  12 . In a desired embodiment, bracket  16  is a U-shaped member generally defined by a pair of side rails  70  and a bottom rail  72 . The side rails  70  and bottom rail  72  may be joined from separate components, or integrally connected as shown. In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4 , there may be a slot  76  located at an inner surface of each side rail  70 . Slots  76  are aligned with the longitudinal axis  79  of each side rail  70 , and are used to receive a flange or carton support  25 , described below. 
         [0028]    An optional rail or brace  74  may span between the side rails  70  to provide rigidity to bracket  16 . On the rear surface  81  of brace  74  may be one or more slot members  75 . Slot members  75  are used to connect the bracket  16  to a connector as described herein so that the bracket may be hung from a wall or mirror. Other possible structures could take the place of slot member  75 , such as hook and loop, adhesive, a clip, or the like. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the bracket  16  is constructed from PVC tubing. However, this example is not meant to be limiting and it is thought that other tubing types and/or shapes (e.g. rectangular) could be used. Further, this bracket may be constructed from other materials such as an injection molded material. Overall, it is contemplated that bracket  16  may be constructed from tubing or solid materials made from plastic, wood, metal, glass, or any substance that can support the container  12  and a plurality of wiping substrate. Further, bracket  16  may include aesthetic features (not shown) to mimic a lathed, natural wood, or carved surface. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the container  12  may have a plurality of sides that generally define an interior volume  40 . The sides of the container  12  may completely enclose the interior volume  40  and be defined by a first side  42 , a second side  44 , a front face  45 , a back panel  49 , a top panel  50 , and a bottom panel  48 . 
         [0031]    The container  12  may be made from any material that is appropriate to contain and dispense the wiping substrates  14 , and allow the container  12  to be mounted to bracket  16 . Non-limiting examples of materials suitable for the container  12  includes glass, plastic, metal, paperboard, corrugated board or any combination thereof. The non-limiting example of  FIG. 6  shows a blank from which the carton  12  may be made from a sheet material such as paperboard. The blank includes not only the sides mentioned, but a plurality of tabs  51  extending from the sides that are not visible when carton  12  is constructed. The purpose of tabs  51  is to provide a surface to which sides  42 ,  44  and  49  may be adhered, as is known in the art. Tabs  51  may have other configurations as known in the art of packaging. 
         [0032]    Container  12  may be configured so that it is refillable. For example, a side or panel of container  12  may be hinged such that additional wiping substrate may be added, e.g. top panel  50 . In another embodiment, the top panel  50  of container  12  may be open and uncovered. Alternatively, the container  12  may be configured to be non-refillable, as seen in  FIG. 1 . Such containers would be delivered to the consumer filled with the product to be dispensed. Once all the substrate has been completely dispensed, the empty container  12  may be removed from the bracket  18 . In a desired embodiment of the present invention, the non-refillable container  12  may be made from materials such that are recyclable and made in part from recycled material. 
         [0033]    Such a disposable/recyclable container  12  would allow for a change in color or container design. For instance, it may be desirable to have containers  12  with seasonal designs. Desirably, a disposable container  12  is a paperboard such as that commonly used to package facial tissues. 
         [0034]    Additional functionality may be included in the design of the container  12 . The container  12  may include a secondary opening or window in a front or a side panel (not shown) such that the consumer may see the amount of product remaining to be dispensed from the container  12  in order to gauge when the container  12  may need to be refilled or replaced. In the alternative, container  12  may be made from a clear material, as seen in the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         [0035]    A dispensing opening is an opening in the container  12  that allows wiping substrates to be removed therefrom. Such an opening may be of a size and shape to help with the dispensing of the product and may include additional features, such as a tear bar (not shown) to help tear off roll substrate being dispensed, or a presentation bar  62  to hold each sheet of wiping substrate  14  in a ready position for dispensing. In  FIG. 1 , the opening is located in the bottom panel  48  of the container  12 . In  FIG. 8 , the opening is located in the top  50  of container  12 . In yet another embodiment as seen in  FIG. 6 , the opening is located at or near the intersection of the front face  45  and the bottom panel  48  of container  12 . The container  12  may have a removable surfboard  53  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The surfboard  53  is defined by a perforated outline, and once removed, forms the opening to the container  12 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a carton support  24  is used for the selective or permanent connection between container  12  and bracket  16 . Carton support  24  may be a substantially rectangular sheet having a contact face  80 , such that when contact face  80  is attached to the back panel  49  of the container  12 , the bracket  24  extends outwardly and normally from the first and second sides walls  42 ,  44  at the edge between the back face and the first and second sides  42 ,  44 , see  FIG. 10 . Desirably, the height  90  of bracket  24  is the same or slightly less than the height  91  of carton  12  (see  FIG. 1 ). The length  92  is longer than the length  93  of carton  12 . This configuration creates a pair of flanges  25  that extend in the X-direction from each side wall  42 ,  44 . Each flange  25  is configured to be disposed in the slots  76  of bracket  16 . To ease insertion of the flanges  25  into slots  76 , the corners  89  at the leading edge  91  may be rounded. Referring to  FIG. 1  by way of example, the carton support  24  supports the container  12  between the two side rails  70 , above the bottom rail  72 . 
         [0037]    Carton support  24  may be constructed from paperboard, cardboard, plastic, metal, or any material that can be attached to the container  12  (either by adhesive or other attachment methods), and have enough stiffness to create an effective flange. In the alternative, rather than using a single rectangular carton support to create a pair of flanges, two separate rectangular tabs  27  may be used to create a pair of flanges  25 . Tabs  27  are attached to the container  12 , such as at each end of the rear wall, see  FIG. 11 . Each tab  27  may have a height that is the same or slightly less than the height  93  of carton  12 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , so that the flange  25  does not accidentally slide out from slots  76 , it may be desirable to cap each side rail  70  with a rail cap  54 . This will allow the dispenser shown in  FIG. 4  to be oriented as shown, or turned up to 180 degrees to an upside-down position without the container  12  falling out of bracket  16 . The rail cap is a plug that is snap fitted or screwed into an aperture located at the distal ends of the side rails  70 . If the rail cap  54  includes an aperture  55  and the aperture in the side rail is deep enough, the side rail  70  could hold items such as flowers (see  FIG. 8 ), toothbrushes, pencils or other elongated articles of choice. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , regardless of whether the bracket  16  is attached to a stand  18 , the bracket  16  may be “releaseably connected” to a support surface such as a mirror or wall. The connection is stable once made, but is capable of being disconnected/detached when desired. This releasable connection is made possible by a connector  56 . 
         [0040]    The connectors  56  may be attached to the back of bracket  16  (e.g. at brace  74 ) and are configured to releaseably couple the dispenser  10  to a surface such as a wall or mirror. Such a connector  56  may be an integral portion of the bracket  16 , or it may be an additional piece that is affixed thereto, such as at the slot member  75  ( FIG. 5 ). The connector  56  may be any fastener that attaches bracket  16  to the surface. Non-limiting examples of such fasteners may include suction cups (as shown), magnets, hook and loop fasteners, pressure-sensitive adhesives, tapes, screws, nails, or other such fasteners as are well known. 
         [0041]    Any variety of wiping substrates may be dispensed with the dispenser  10  including, but not limited to wipers, towels, and the like. Such substrates may be stacked, folded, interfolded, rolled, or in any format as are known for such substrates. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , it may be desirable to support the container  12  and bracket  16  above a horizontal surface, such as a counter top. Therefore, any structure that can be attached to the bracket and that is strong enough to support the required load of the container  12 , wiping substrate  14 , bracket  16 , and pulling forces (from the substrate  14  removal) will suffice. While many stand configurations are possible, two non-limiting examples are shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
         [0043]    Referring to the stand embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the stand  80  includes a defined horizontal support member  82  and a vertical support member  84 . In particular, the horizontal support member  82  is a U-shaped member having a front bar  86  and a pair of side bars  88 . Rising up from the end of each side bar  88  is a post  90 . There may be an integral joint between the post  90  and side bar  88 , such as an elbow  92 . 
         [0044]    As with bracket  16 , stand  80  may be made from tubing or a solid material. At the top end of each post is a socket  94  that is configured to hold the bracket  16 . Socket  94  may have an integral connection to post  90  or a separate connection, such as when the post  90  is hollow tubing. As shown by way of example, the socket  94  is shaped to hold the elbow joint  96  ( FIG. 5 ) located between the bottom rail  72  and each side rail  70  of bracket  16 . A clamp or other attachment could be used instead of a socket member. 
         [0045]    If desired, a pin member  100  may be added to the socket  94  for added stability. Pin member  100  would engage an aperture located at the bottom of joint  96  (not shown). In the alternative, permanent connection between the bracket  16  and stand  18  may be made with an adhesive, welding, or the like. 
         [0046]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the stand  18  is made from an L-shaped member constructed from a sheet of material that has about a 90 degree bend therein. However, it is contemplated that the bend could be 75-90 degrees. A proximal edge  100  of the L-shaped member stand may be welded or otherwise attached to the bottom rail  72 . For example, there may be a slot  84  located on the bottom surface  86  of the bottom rail  72  for receiving the proximal edge  100 . The proximal edge  88  of the stand fits within slot  84 . This allows for disassembly and storage of the dispenser  10 . 
         [0047]    Referring now to the embodiments of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the container  12  is attached to a surface such as a mirror  99 . While components such as the bracket  16  and stand  18  (not shown) remain the same as in the previous embodiments, container  12  differs from the container of  FIG. 1  in several ways. For example, the top panel  50  of container  12  may be sloped slightly toward the user. This allows easier access to the wiping substrate  14 , presented through an aperture  60 . The top  50  is in the form of a hinged lid  66  that covers most of the opening  60 , leaving only a small lip of substrate  14  exposed. Container  12  may be a clear material as shown, or an opaque material. Desirably, container  12  is a refillable or replaceable plastic receptacle, but it could be disposable after each use. 
         [0048]    Further shown in  FIG. 9  is a bumper  58  extending outward from the rear of bracket  16 . The bumper or bumpers  58  may be located or spaced along the bottom rail  72  of the bracket  16  as seen in  FIG. 5 . Desirably, bumpers  58  are buttons of elastomeric material that are friction fit into apertures at back surface of bracket  16 , or adhered thereto. Bumpers  58  may be used with any of the embodiments shown herein. 
         [0049]    The container  12  may be filled with wiping substrate  14  and sold as a kit along with the stand  18  and the connectors  56 . 
         [0050]    It will be appreciated that the foregoing examples and discussion, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention, which is defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto.