Patent Publication Number: US-7222747-B1

Title: Multi-function sanitization system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the field of sanitizing systems in general and in particular to a self contained point of use sanitizing system that limits the potential of cross-contamination of the sanitizing supplies employed in the system. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,691,897; 6,508,383; 4,788,909; and Des. 340,374, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse cleaning sanitizing systems. 
   While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical multi-function sanitizing system that is contained within a single housing component that substantially restricts the access of the public to the cleaning supplies contained within the housing component. 
   While U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,897, provides many of the same functions and advantages of the present invention, it does so in a rather disjointed manner that virtually encourages the users to physically handle the exterior of the various dispensing modules that are incorporated therein which is contrary to the focus of the present invention which is intended to discourage such potential for cross-contamination by excessive handling of the individual dispensing components. 
   As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need in both the physical fitness and healthcare fields for a new and improved multi-function sanitizing system that is self-contained in a uniquely designed manner to provide centralized access to a variety of cleaning and sanitizing supplies, and the provision of such an arrangement is the stated objective of the present invention. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly stated, the multi-function sanitation system that forms the basis of the present invention comprises in general an elongated housing member having interior shelves and access openings which cooperate with a hinged lid member and front door panel to store a variety of cleaning and sanitizing supplies such as anti-bacterial liquids, paper towels, tissues, and spray cleaners, as well as, a removable trash receptacle. 
   As will be explained in greater detail further on in the specification, the housing member has an elongated rear panel the upper end of which terminates in an open vertical framework that can serve either as a handle element and/or bracket to display advertising or the like wherein, the lower end of the rear panel terminates in an outwardly extending base. 
   In addition, a pair of side panels project outwardly from the rear panel and project upwardly from the base member wherein, one of the side panels has an arcuate front panel hingedly connected thereto and wherein, the upper portion of the rear panel has a cover element pivotally connected thereto. 
   Furthermore, the housing member further includes an interior vertical panel having rearwardly directed segments that form intermediate and upper shelves wherein, the intermediate shelf serves as a divider for an elongated opening formed in the other side panel, and the upper shelf has a vertical support arm that is aligned with a contoured aperture provided in the face of the front panel. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other attributes of the invention will become more clear upon a thorough study of the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a closed perspective view of the multi-function sanitization system that forms the basis of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an open perspective view of the first version of the preferred embodiment of this invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an open perspective view of the second versions of the preferred embodiment of this invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , the multi-function sanitization system that forms the basis of the present invention is designated generally by the reference number  10 . The sanitization system  10  comprises in general an elongated housing member  20  the structural components of which will now be described in seriatim fashion. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the housing member  20  includes an elongated rear panel  21  having an upper end that terminates in an open framework element  22  that can serve either as a handle or a bracket for advertising and having a lower end that terminates in an outwardly projecting base  23 . 
   In addition the housing member  20  further includes a pair of side panels  24   25  wherein, one of the side panels  25  is provided with an arcuate front panel  26  that is hingedly connected thereto and the other side panel  24  is provided with an elongated opening  27  the purpose and function of which will be explained in greater detail further on in the specification. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it can be seen that the housing member  20  further includes a cover element  28  that is pivotally connected to the rear panel  21  and disposed in an overlapping relationship with the pivoted front panel  26  and further includes a dispensing funnel  29  that allows pre-moistened antibacterial sheets to be dispensed from the interior of the housing member  20  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
   As can also be appreciated by reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the housing member  20  is further provided with an interior vertical panel  30  that extends between the side panels  24   25  and has rearwardly directed segments that form intermediate  31  and upper  32  shelves wherein, the upper shelf  32  is further provided with an upwardly extending support arm  33  the purpose and function of which will be explained presently. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2  in particular, it can be seen that in the first version of the preferred embodiment, the front panel  26  of the housing member  20  is provided with a retention ring  40  for receiving a removable trash bag  41  whereas, in the second version of the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , a removable cylindrical trash receptacle  45  is provided in lieu of the retention ring  40  and trash bag  41  arrangement. 
   As can also be seen by reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in both versions of the preferred embodiment, the front panel  26  of the housing member  20  is further provided with an enlarged contoured aperture  50  that is aligned with the vertical support arm  33  of the interior vertical panel  30  wherein, the vertical support arm  33  is provided with a dispenser  60  preferably filled with an anti-microbial disinfectant or the like and also contains a notch (not shown) that allows the vertical passage of sheets from a roll of paper towels  70  as will be explained presently. 
   Furthermore, the upper shelf  32  supports either the dry or pre-moistened roll of paper towels  70  that may be fed through the dispensing funnel  29  and the intermediate shelf  31  creates dual compartments in the elongated opening  27  in the side panel  24  wherein, the lower compartment is dimensioned to receive a spray bottle  90  containing a cleaning solution or the like and the upper compartment is dimensioned to receive a tissue dispenser  80  or the like. 
   As a consequence of the foregoing situation, the housing member  20  of this invention provides a centralized multi-compartmented receptacle for a variety of sanitizing and cleaning supplies that are required on a frequent and repetitive basis in both a healthcare and physical fitness environment. 
   Although only an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. 
   Having thereby described the subject matter of the present invention, it should be apparent that many substitutions, modifications, and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention as taught and described herein is only to be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope of the appended claims.