Patent Publication Number: US-2018028028-A1

Title: Automatic solution dispensing paper fixture

Description:
INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/072,762 filed Nov. 5, 2013 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The bathroom sanitation market currently offers hands-free soap dispensing products for washing of the hands. The market also offers pre-moistened wipes for cleansing of the genitals and buttocks. Currently a consumer utilizes both dry toilet paper and pre-moistened wipes for cleansing. The present invention has developed a system for dispensing sanitation liquid on to existing toilet paper, in a hands-free method, thereby combining the previous need for two separate products. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The configuration of the present invention provides a toilet paper wall fixture with infrared sensing technology which holds sanitation liquid for on-demand dispensing on to toilet paper. 
     In one embodiment, the invention is a device for sanitation comprising:
         a holder configured for mounting and dispensing a conventional roll of paper;   a reservoir configured with an inlet and an outlet, whereby said reservoir holds a dispensing solution;   a dispensing system for dispensing the dispensing solution through the reservoir outlet;   an actuator operatively associated with said dispensing system; and   a device outlet configured to deliver the solution from the device once the actuator initiates the dispensing system.       

     The paper roll is selected from roll of paper towel, roll of toilet paper, or any other rolled paper configuration to be used in the device. 
     The device has a holder that is configured to be removable and replaceable. In one embodiment, the holder is a replaceable cylindrical spindle configured to be inserted through the central cavity of a paper roll. 
     In one embodiment, the device reservoir holds between 3 to 8 fluid ounces of dispensing solution, preferably 3 to 7 fluid ounces. 
     The device dispensing solution has a dynamic viscosity between 1500 to 6500 cP and the solution contains at least one of an antimicrobial component, antibacterial component, anti-viral component, or combinations thereof. 
     The device dispensing system includes at least one pump which, in one embodiment is at least one reciprocating positive displacement pump. In one embodiment the reciprocating positive displacement pump is a piston pump. The actuator is a manually operated actuator, a motion controlled actuator, or combinations thereof. A preferred embodiment includes an IR sensor operatively associated with the actuator. 
     One embodiment of device provides the device outlet being positioned to deliver dispensing solution onto the paper roll. 
     Also contemplated is a method of dispensing solution onto a paper roll, said method comprising the steps of:
         providing a device according to the invention disclosed herein;   filling the device reservoir with dispensing solution;   placing a paper roll onto the holder of the device;   actuating the actuator to dispense the dispensing solution; and   outputting the dispensing solution from the device output onto the paper roll.       

     The present invention contemplates, inter alia, the following as representative improvements:
         Proper ergonomic design for dispensing of sanitation liquid to toilet paper.   An existing infrared sensing mechanism and displacement pump for sensing a user&#39;s hand and dispensing 0.07 ounces of sanitation liquid per use.   A removable and refillable reservoir for holding 6.5 ounces of sanitation liquid.   A wall mountable fixture for housing the dispensing mechanism and holding standard rolls of toilet paper.   Easily replaceable AA batteries, including an On/Off switch.   An “Always On” design which is always ready for use.       

     In one embodiment, the present invention is a toilet paper dispenser comprising: 
     a standard toilet paper roll;
 
an existing, AA powered, Infrared sensing and displacement pump mechanism internal of the outer housing;
 
tubing connecting the pump to the distribution nozzle;
 
a removable and refillable reservoir for holding 6.5 ounces of sanitation liquid that connects to the displacement pump;
 
a battery holder with three AA batteries connected to the displacement pump;
 
an external On/Off switch connected to the displacement pump; and
 
a wall mounting plate that connects to the outer housing.
 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a separated perspective view of the components of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a separated perspective view of the sanitation liquid reservoir of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is perspective view of the sanitation liquid reservoir connected to the displacement pump of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the outer housing of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view showing the internal components of the dispenser of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the wall mounting plate of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the AA battery housing. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the removable top outer housing of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a view showing a hand breaking the infrared beam to dispense sanitation liquid. 
         FIG. 11  is a view showing the path of the sanitation liquid from the reservoir to the distribution nozzle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention relates to a combination hands-free sanitation liquid dispenser and toilet paper holder having a particularized configuration whereby the configuration results in combining both dry toilet paper and the ability to create a moistened wipe in one device. 
     Unit  10  is assembled of component parts including module  12  that includes each of a displacement pump and infrared module constructed and arranged to be mounted in outer housing  16 . Outer housing  16  is configured to mate with top housing  18  by allowing top housing  18  to mount outer housing  16 . Top housing  18  includes a mounting and routing mechanism  18  that is constructed and arranged to firmly snap onto outer housing  16 . Reservoir  20  slides into outer housing  16  and mounts to module  12 . 
     Paper roll  14 , shown in the figures as a toilet paper roll, is configured with module  12  to nest with in the inner cavity of outer housing  16 . 
     Battery door  30  is configured to snap into battery holder  28 . Battery holder  28  is configured to nest into outer housing  16  and is operatively connected to the displacement pump of module  12 . The male-female connection of  28  to housing  16  is any one of screw fit, snap fit, and the like. 
     Outer housing  16  is configured to connect to wall plate  22  via two screws. Wall plate  22  is mounted to a wall using two screws prior to assembling outer housing  16  to wall plate  22 . 
     Outer housing  16  has two press fit holes for infrared led module  12  and distribution head  26 . Outer housing  16  has a screw fit hole for On/Off switch  24 . 
     Reservoir assembly  20  is formed with a reservoir body  32  that defines an interior cavity into which a dispensing solution is placed. Reservoir body  32  is configured with a reservoir valve  34  reservoir  36  whereby said  36  positions valve  34  onto reservoir outlet  35 . A distribution head mount  38  is a fixed atop reservoir  36  whereby distribution head mount  38  has head mount orifice  37  for supporting device distribution outlet nozzle  42  and providing a pathway for dispensing solution to exit reservoir  36  through reservoir outlet  35  though distribution outlet  42 . In one embodiment, outlet  42  has at its terminal and a distribution nozzle  40  for atomizing and or distributing dispensing solution exiting device  10  through distribution to outlet  42 . In one embodiment, mounting plate  22  is affixed to device  10  and is constructed to mount device  10  on a surface, such as a wall or other desired mounting surface. 
     In use, reservoir cover  18  is removed and a dispensing solution is placed within reservoir body  32 . Housing  18  is replaced. In one embodiment, a user will place a hand in the path of an infrared sensor as demonstrated in  FIG. 10 , and the infrared sensor beam infrared sensor will actuate the device pump. In one embodiment, the actuation is on a delay of 1-5 seconds in order that the dispensing solution is deposited on the paper below outlet  42 . Dispensing solution will exit its reservoir  32  in a metered amount through reservoir valve  34  travels through device output distribution tube  42  and ultimately distribute dispensing solution on to paper roll  14 . 
     While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.