Patent Publication Number: US-6708845-B2

Title: Hygiene device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to toilet paper, and more particularly to a toilet paper hygiene device which is adapted for dispensing a predetermined amount of cleansing solution on a toilet paper so as to moisture the toilet paper before it is used. 
     2. Description of Related Arts 
     After excretion, people are used to use toilet paper to wipe their buttocks for cleaning purpose. Usually the toilet paper is sold in roll, which is considerably large and bulky for daily carriage. Therefore, the roll of toilet paper is pre-set in the restroom close to the toilet bowl. In other words, the toilet paper is just stayed in the restroom and prepared for future usage. Therefore, the toilet paper stayed in the restroom is an inadequate cleaning utility because the sterility of the toilet paper is not guaranteed. Moreover, the residue remained on the buttock of the individual may not be totally cleaned up by only using the toilet paper. 
     Is the public restroom clean? Does any regularly check up and sterilization for the public restroom? These questions are most concerned by the user. Since the hygiene condition of the public restroom may not as good as the domestic one, the user prefers go to his or her restroom rather than to the public restroom unless there is an emergency. 
     In order to prevent any infection from the restroom, some people may purchase bottles of sterilizing agent and detergent and apply on the toilet paper for enhancing the cleansing ability of the toilet paper by not only removing the residue remained on the buttock but also cleaning the toilet paper before it is used. However, these bottles are unsuited for daily carrying around. Another problem with these bottles is that the user must use his or her hands to manipulate, which will pollute the cleaning solutions inside the bottles. Therefore, none of the public restrooms provide such sterilizing agent and/or detergent for public use because most public users may merely refuse to use the cleaning solutions in the public restroom since he or she does not know that these public bottles have been used by previous users. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A main object of the present invention is to provide a hygiene device which is adapted for dispensing a predetermined amount of cleansing solution, such as a detergent, disinfectant, or skin lotion, on a toilet paper so as to clean and moisture the toilet paper before it is used. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hygiene device for moistening the toilet paper, which enables a user to clean his or her body, especially after excretion, for domestic and commercial uses. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hygiene device which has a compact size such that the hygiene device can be mounted on any wall without taking up much space. The present invention is preferred to be equipped with a toilet paper supporting frame in the restroom or in the kitchen so as to intentionally incorporate with the toilet paper before the toilet paper is used. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hygiene device, wherein no specified toilet paper is required to incorporate with the hygiene device. In other words, the hygiene device of the present invention fits for any kind of toilet paper. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hygiene device which is capable of not only enhancing the cleansing ability of the toilet paper to clean the residue remained on the buttock of the user but also sterilizing the toilet paper before it is used. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hygiene device which is easy and safe to use. Due to hygiene purpose, the present invention requires hand-free operation to actuate the cleansing solution contained in the container, so as to prevent the cleansing solution having any contact with the user. Therefore, it is guarantee for the cleanness of the container and the safety of the use of the cleansing solution. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hygiene device which is easy and economical to use so as to ensure a relatively low cost. According to the present invention, the cleansing solution can be a detergent, disinfectant, and/or skin lotion, which can be refilled in the container, so as to minimize the long-term cost of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a hygiene device, comprising: 
     a first cleansing arrangement comprising a first container body having a first liquid reservoir for receiving a first cleansing solution therein, a first pumping unit, having a first dispensing nozzle, detachably attached to the first container body and arranged to pump the first cleansing solution from the first liquid reservoir towards the first dispensing nozzle, and a first hands-free actuating unit arranged to actuate the first pumping unit for dispensing a predetermined amount of the first cleansing solution on a first wiping medium via the first dispensing nozzle; and 
     a second cleansing arrangement comprising a second container body having a second liquid reservoir for receiving a second cleansing solution therein, a second pumping unit, having a second dispensing nozzle, detachably attached to the second container body and arranged to pump the second cleansing solution from the second liquid reservoir towards the second dispensing nozzle, and a second hands-free actuating unit arranged to actuate the second pumping unit for dispensing a predetermined amount of the second cleansing solution on a second wiping medium via the second dispensing nozzle, wherein the first and second cleansing solutions have different cleaning abilities for selectively moistening the first and second wiping mediums respectively before the first and second wiping mediums are used. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hygiene device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a roll of wiping mediums according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a partially sectional view of the hygiene device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the hygiene device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the hygiene device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a first alternative mode of the hands-free actuating unit of the hygiene device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a second alternative mode of the hands-free actuating unit of the hygiene device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative mode of the hygiene device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings, a hygiene device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the hygiene device is adapted for dispensing a predetermined amount of cleansing solution on a wiping medium  1  so as to moisture the wiping medium  1  before it is used. The hygiene device comprises a first cleansing arrangement  10  and a second cleansing arrangement  20 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the first cleansing arrangement  10  comprises a first container body  11  having a first liquid reservoir  111  for receiving a first cleansing solution  101  therein and a first opening  112  for communicating the first liquid reservoir  111  with outside, a first pumping unit  12 , having a first dispensing nozzle  121 , detachably attached to the first container body  11  to sealedly cover the first opening  112  and arranged to pump the first cleansing solution  101  from the first liquid reservoir  111  towards the first dispensing nozzle  121 , and a first hands-free actuating unit  13  arranged to actuate the first pumping unit  12  for dispensing a predetermined amount of the first cleansing solution  101  on a first wiping medium  1  via the dispensing nozzle  121 . 
     The second cleansing arrangement  20  comprises a second container body  21  having a second liquid reservoir  211  for receiving a second cleansing solution  201  therein and a second opening  212  for communicating the second liquid reservoir  211  with outside, a second pumping unit  22 , having a second dispensing nozzle  221 , detachably attached to the second container body  21  to sealedly cover the second opening  212  and arranged to pump the second cleansing solution  201  from the second liquid reservoir  211  towards the second dispensing nozzle  221 , and a second hands-free actuating unit  23  arranged to actuate the second pumping unit  22  for dispensing a predetermined amount of the second cleansing solution  201  on a second wiping medium  2  via the second dispensing nozzle  221 . 
     Therefore, the first and second cleansing solutions  101 ,  201  have different cleaning abilities for selectively moistening the first and second wiping mediums  1 ,  2  respectively before the first and second wiping mediums  1 ,  2  are used. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, each of the first and second wiping mediums  1 ,  2  is embodied as a regular toilet paper provided in a roll form wherein the toilet paper is commonly used to wipe the user&#39;s body, especially after excretion. Accordingly, the first and second wiping mediums  1 ,  2  can be a paper tower or wiping cloth that is used for other cleaning purpose in a wiping manner. 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the first cleansing arrangement  10  has the same structure of the second cleansing arrangement  20  wherein the first and second container bodies  11 ,  21  are embodied to carry the first and second cleansing solutions  101 ,  102  respectively such that the user is able to select the first and second cleansing solutions  101 ,  102  to dispense on the first and second wiping mediums  1 ,  2  respectively. 
     The first cleansing solution  101  is a detergent that can enhance the cleaning ability of the first wiping medium  1 . The second cleansing solution  102  is a disinfectant that makes free bacterial infection on the second wiping medium  2 , so as to sterilize the user&#39;s body when applying the second wiping medium  2  thereon. Moreover, the first and second solutions  101 ,  102  can be refilled in the first and second container bodies  11 ,  21  respectively. It is worth to mention that the first and second cleansing solutions  101 ,  201  can be selected by the user to fit his or her needs such as using water as a substitution. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, each of the first and second pumping units, further comprises a cover cap  122 ,  222  detachably attached on the respective container body  11 ,  21  to enclose the respective opening  112 ,  212  thereof, a depressible head unit  123 ,  223  upwardly extended from the respective cover cap  122 ,  222  in a vertical movably manner wherein the first and second dispensing nozzles  121 ,  221  are defined at free ends of the first and second depressible head units  123 ,  223  respectively, and a pumping pipe  124 ,  224  extended from the respective depressible head unit  123 ,  223  to the respective liquid reservoir  111 ,  211  thereof in such a manner that the depressible head unit  123 ,  223  is capably of pumping the respective cleansing solution  101 ,  201  from the liquid reservoir  111 ,  211  through the pumping pipe  124 ,  224  when a downward force is applied on the respective depressible head unit  123 ,  223 , so as to dispense the respective cleansing solution  101 ,  201  to outside via the dispensing nozzle  121 ,  221  of the depressible head unit  123 ,  223 . Each of the first and second pumping units  12 ,  22  further a resilient element  125 ,  225  for applying an urging pressure against the depressible head unit  123 ,  223  to retain the a depressible head unit  123 ,  223  in a normal upper position. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, each of the first and second hands-free actuating units  13 ,  23 , according to the preferred embodiment, comprises a driving arm  131 ,  231  having an upper end portion extended on top of the depressible heart unit  123 ,  223  of the respective pumping unit  12 ,  22  and a footstep  132 ,  232  pivotally connected to a lower end of the driving arm  131 ,  231  and arranged to drive the respective depressible head unit  123 ,  223  downwardly through the driving arm  131 ,  231  when a downward force is applied on the footstep  132 ,  232 , so as to dispense the respective cleansing solution  101 ,  201  via the respective dispensing nozzle  121 ,  221  of respective container  10 ,  20 . 
     Each of the first and second driving arms  131 ,  231  has at least an elastic portion for applying an urging pressure against the respective footstep  132 ,  232  so as to normally retain and urge the footstep  132 ,  232  in an upper position. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the hygiene device further comprises a third cleansing arrangement  30  comprising a third container body  31  having a third liquid reservoir  311  for receiving a third cleansing solution  301  therein and a third opening  312  for communicating the third liquid reservoir  311  with outside, a third pumping unit  32 , having a third dispensing nozzle  321 , detachably attached to the third container body  31  to sealedly cover the third opening  312  and arranged to pump the third cleansing solution  301  from the third liquid reservoir  311  towards the third dispensing nozzle  321 , and a third hands-free actuating unit  33  arranged to actuate the third pumping unit  32  for dispensing a predetermined amount of the third cleansing solution  301  on a third wiping medium  3  via the dispensing nozzle  321 . 
     Accordingly, the third cleansing solution  301 , which is different from the first and second cleansing solutions  101 ,  201 , is a lotion for soothing the user&#39;s skin. 
     The third pumping unit  32 , which has the same structure of the first pumping unit  12 , further comprises a third cover cap  322  detachably attached on the third container body  31  to enclose the third opening  312  thereof, a third depressible head unit  323  upwardly extended from the third cover cap  322  in a vertical movably manner wherein the third dispensing nozzle  321  is defined at a free end of the third depressible head unit  323 , and a third pumping pipe  324  extended from the third depressible head unit  323  to the third liquid reservoir  311  thereof in such a manner that the third depressible head unit  323  is capably of pumping the third cleansing solution  301  from the third liquid reservoir  311  through the third pumping pipe  324  when a downward force is applied on the third depressible head unit  323   50  as to dispense the third cleansing solution  301  to outside via the third dispensing nozzle  321  of the third depressible head unit  323 . The third pumping units  32  further a resilient element  325  for applying an urging pressure against the depressible head unit  323  to retain the a depressible head unit  323  in a normal upper position, as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     The third hands-free actuating unit  33  comprises a third driving arm  331  having an upper end portion extended on top of the third depressible head unit  323  of the third pumping unit  32  and a third footstep  332  pivotally connected to a lower end of the third driving arm  331  and arranged to drive the third depressible head unit  323  downwardly through the third driving arm  331  when a downward force is applied on the third footstep  332 , so as to dispense the third cleansing solution  301  via the third dispensing nozzle  321  of the third container  30 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the hygiene device further comprises a supporting frame  40  for securely supporting the first, second, and third cleansing arrangements  10 ,  20 ,  30 , wherein the supporting frame  40  comprises a container housing  41  for receiving the first, second, and third container bodies  11 ,  21 ,  31  side by side respectively and three wiping medium holders  43  to be aligned under the container housing  41  for replaceably holding the first, second, and third wiping mediums  1 ,  2 ,  3  respectively, wherein the first, second, and third hands-free actuating units  13 ,  23 ,  33  are securely supported by the supporting frame  40  to actuate the corresponding pumping units  12 ,  22 ,  32  individually. 
     Accordingly, the supporting frame  40  further comprises a longitudinal base frame  42  to support the first, second, and third footsteps  132 ,  232 ,  332  thereon, such that the user is able to select the one of the cleansing solutions  101 ,  201 ,  301  by stepping on the corresponding footstep  132 ,  232 ,  332 . 
     The supporting frame  40  further comprises a longitudinal supporting platform  44  transversely supported above the wiping medium holders  43  and aligned with the first, second, and third dispensing nozzles  121 ,  221 ,  321 . Therefore, the user is able to place the first, second, or third wiping medium  1 ,  2 ,  3  on the supporting platform  44  and then actuate the first, second, or third hands-free actuating unit  13 ,  23 ,  33  to dispense the respective first, second, or third cleansing solution,  101 ,  201 ,  301  on the wiping medium  1 ,  2 ,  3 . In addition, the supporting frame  46  may further comprise four wheels  46  to facilitate transportation of the hygiene device of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, in order to provide the urging pressure against the footstep  132 ,  232 ,  332 , a resilient member  45  is provided between the base frame  42  and the respective first, second, and third footstep  132 ,  232 ,  332  for applying an urging pressure against the respective first, second, and third footstep  132 ,  232 ,  332  so as to retain the first, second, and third footsteps  132 ,  232 ,  332  in a normal upper position, as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative mode of the hands-free actuating unit  13 ′,  23 ′,  33 ′ of the first, second, and third cleansing arrangements  10 ′,  20 ′,  30 ′, wherein each of the first, second, and third hands-free actuating unit  13 ′,  23 ′,  33 ′ comprises a power control device  131 ′,  231 ′,  331 ′ for electrically actuating the respective first, second, and third pumping unit  12 ′,  22 ′,  32 ′ and a photo cell unit  132 ′,  232 ′,  332 ′ for detaching an environmental brightness so that when the photo cell unit  132 ′,  232 ′,  332 ′ detects a change of surrounding brightness, the power control device  1131 ′,  231 ′,  331 ′ is automatically switched on to actuate the respective pumping unit  12 ′,  22 ′,  32 ′, so as to dispense the cleansing solution  101 ′,  201 ′,  301 ′ from the dispensing nozzle  121 ′,  221 ′,  321 ′. 
     Accordingly, the photo cell units  132 ′,  232 ′,  332 ′ such as infra-red sensors, are provided on the container housing  41 ′ of the supporting frame  40 ′ and electrically connected with the power control device  131 ′,  231 ′,  331 ′ respectively. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative mode of the hygiene device wherein the first, second, and third cleansing arrangements  10 ″,  20 ″,  30 ″ are capable of directly dispensing the first, second, third cleansing solutions  101 ″,  201 ″,  301 ″ on the first, second, and third wiping mediums  1 ″,  2 ″,  3 ″. 
     The first, second, and third cleansing arrangements  10 ″,  20 ″,  30 ″ are arranged for supporting above the first, second, and third wiping mediums  1 ″,  2 ″,  3 ″ respectively wherein the first, second, and third dispensing nozzles  121 ″,  221 ″,  321 ″ are downwardly extended from the first, second, and third container bodies  11 ″,  21 ″,  31 ″ and aligned with the first, second, and third wiping mediums  1 ″,  2 ″,  3 ″ respectively in such a manner that predetermined amounts of the first, second, and third cleansing solutions  101 ″,  201 ″,  301 ″ are directly dispensed on the first, second, and third wiping mediums  1 ″,  2 ″,  3 ″ respectively before the first, second, and third wiping mediums  1 ″,  2 ″,  3 ″ are used. 
     Preferably, the first, second, and third hands-free actuating units  13 ″,  23 ″,  33 ″ are embodied with the photo cell units  132 ″,  232 ″,  332 ″ provided on the first, second, and third container bodies  11 ″,  21 ″,  31 ″ respectively, as shown in FIG. 4, and the pumping units  12 ″,  22 ″,  32 ″ are powered by the power control devices  131 ″,  231 ″,  331 ″ respectively. 
     It is worth to mention that the hygiene device of the present invention and its alternative mode does not require any hand contacting operation in order to moisture the toilet paper of the wiping medium. Therefore, the present invention is well suited for dispensing the cleansing solution for hygiene purpose, so as to prevent the cleansing solution from being polluted by the user&#39;s hand.