Patent Description:
Systems dispensing consumable products are ubiquitous in many environments today. For example, paper hand towel dispensers are commonplace in many private, semi-private and public washrooms, work areas, food processing stations and kitchens. Document <CIT> discloses a dispenser for dispensing absorbent product. Given these environments dispensers are often exposed to liquids, for example, a cleaning solution and/or water when the environment is being cleaned or through inadvertent events such as a patron splashing water from a faucet. If such a liquid enters the dispenser it can undesirably wet or moisten the paper towels, which can result in a damp or reduced strength product being dispensed to a user expecting a dry, clean towel.

The subject matter of this specification relates to a dispenser, e.g., a paper product dispenser. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in systems that include a dispenser for dispensing absorbent product comprising: an outer cover having a first cover portion, a second cover portion and an interior region configured to hold the absorbent product and at least partially defined by one or more of the first and second cover portions, wherein the first cover portion is removably engaged to at least a portion of the second cover portion along a cover joint; and wherein the outer cover includes a hydrophobic section proximate the cover joint to direct any liquid on the cover near the cover joint away from the cover joint. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding methods, apparatus, and computer program products.

One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a method that includes applying a hydrophobic material to a dispenser for dispensing absorbent product, wherein the dispenser has an outer cover having a first cover portion, a second cover portion and an interior region configured to hold the absorbent product and at least partially defined by one or more of the first and second cover portions, the first cover portion is removably engaged to at least a portion of the second cover portion along a cover joint; and the hydrophobic material is applied proximate the cover joint to direct any liquid on the cover near the cover joint away from the cover joint. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.

Many product dispensers use a clam-shell type design to allow attendants to "open" the dispenser and access the interior of the dispenser, where the product is stored, for example, to refill the product, perform maintenance or the like. For those dispensers that don't employ such a clam-shell design there is almost universally a door or other access point to the interior of the dispenser.

In either case, the dispenser has a joint or seem that separates the two halves or portions of the dispenser that allow interior access. Such a joint is a natural junction through which water or other liquids (or other debris) can enter the dispenser. Such an infiltration event is generally undesirably. For example, the interior of the dispenser may include dry, absorbent product such as paper towels, or electrical or mechanical components that are liquid sensitive. As such, if, for example, water seeped through the joint and moistened the paper towels and then these wet paper towels are dispensed to a user expecting dry paper towels to dry their hands, the user has an unsatisfactory experience. Further, water in the interior of a dispenser may promote bacterial growth and otherwise culture unwanted substances or cause electrical or mechanical devices in the dispenser to malfunction.

To avoid this, the dispenser described herein has a hydrophobic (or other liquid phobic or repelling material) section proximate, e.g., abutting, the joint on one or both sides. As such when water is introduced to an area near the joint the hydrophobic section discourages (e.g., repels) the water from approaching and penetrating the joint. In this way, the dispenser reduces the likelihood that water with enter the interior of the dispenser through the joint, which reduces damage to the interior of the dispenser (e.g., to sensitive electrical or mechanical components) and/or prevents the water from compromising the consumable product in the dispenser (e.g., by weakening the product due to moisture on the product or reducing the potential for unwanted bacterial or substance growth on the product) and/or prevents waste and avoids cost from having to discard compromised products and replacement with new products.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the disclosure.

Liquids entering into dispensers can be quite problematic, for example, for the reasons described above. The present dispenser reduces the likelihood of liquid, e.g., water, unintentionally entering the dispenser by providing a hydrophobic surface (and/or other liquid repellants) around any joints or seems in the dispenser's outer cover (or any other potential entry points into the interior of the dispenser). In this way the hydrophobic surface will direct any water (or other liquid depending on the type of repellant) away from it and also away from the joint, as the hydrophobic surface is proximate and in some cases abuts the joint on both sides, which reduces the likelihood that the water will approach and penetrate the joint.

<FIG> is a representation of an example dispenser <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> can be, for example, a dispenser that dispenses an (absorbent) consumable product such as a bath tissue dispenser <NUM>, a hand towel dispenser <NUM>, a wiper or wiper dispenser <NUM>, or the like for rolled or stacked paper products. More generally, a dispenser is any container that encloses material or components that are water or liquid sensitive and dispenses a consumable product. Paper products describes sheet materials made from cellulose fibers (e.g., wood pulp), synthetic fibers (e.g., polypropylene) or some combination thereof, and include, for example, bath tissue, paper towels and wipers.

The dispenser <NUM> includes a body <NUM> or outer cover <NUM>, e.g., a composite or metal housing. <FIG> is a representation of the example dispenser <NUM> with its outer cover <NUM> in an open position; the outer cover <NUM> is closed in <FIG>. The outer cover <NUM> encloses, fully or partially, a product holding area <NUM> or interior <NUM> of the dispenser. The product holding area <NUM> holds, for example, the product-to-be-dispensed <NUM> by the dispenser <NUM> and, in some implementations, one or more electrical or mechanical components used to enable the dispense process such as a motor, batteries, rollers, sensors to determine when a user requests a dispense, etc..

In some implementations, the product holding area <NUM> is a space or cavity within the dispenser <NUM> in which the product <NUM> can be positioned for dispensing, and can be accessed by rotating or pivoting the first cover portion <NUM> (e.g., the front cover), from a closed position, away from the second cover portion <NUM> (e.g., the back cover) by a hinge or the like to an open position. The first cover portion <NUM> is movably engaged to at least a portion of the second cover portion <NUM> along a cover joint <NUM>, which delineates, at least in part, the first and second cover portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The first cover portion <NUM>, when in the closed position, and the second cover portion <NUM> define the product holding area/interior <NUM>. In some implementations, the joint <NUM> is a butt joint or an overlap joint, e.g., the first and second cover portions <NUM>, <NUM> overlap each other when in a closed position.

Given that the dispenser <NUM> may be susceptible to liquid penetration (e.g., entering into the interior <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>) at the joint <NUM> (or any other discontinuity or seem on the outer cover <NUM>), the outer cover <NUM> includes a hydrophobic section <NUM> proximate the cover joint <NUM> to direct any water on the cover <NUM> near the cover joint <NUM> away from the cover joint <NUM>. The hydrophobic section <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, which is representation of an example product dispenser <NUM> with a hydrophobic section <NUM>, <FIG> is a side view of the dispenser <NUM> of <FIG>, and <FIG>, which is a top view of the dispenser <NUM> of <FIG>.

In some implementations, the hydrophobic section <NUM> abuts the joint <NUM> on both sides of the joint <NUM> for the entirety of the joint <NUM> or, in others, for only a portion of the joint <NUM>. For example, the hydrophobic section <NUM> may abut the joint <NUM> only on the top side <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>, only along one or both sides <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> or some combination thereof. Thus when water is directed at the dispenser <NUM> (e.g., as when cleaning an area in which the dispenser <NUM> is located), the water droplets land on or near the hydrophobic section <NUM> and are directed to an area on the dispenser <NUM> that does not have the repelling properties of the hydrophobic section <NUM>. Given that the hydrophobic section <NUM> is proximate the joint <NUM>, water introduced on the dispensers <NUM> is directed away from the joint <NUM>, thereby reducing the likelihood that water enters the interior <NUM>.

In some implementations the hydrophobic section <NUM> is created by applying a hydrophobic coating (e.g., a paste or spray) on the outer cover <NUM> in the area of the joint <NUM>. In some implementations, the outer cover <NUM> is made of a thermoplastic material (e.g., polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, etc.) and the hydrophobic section <NUM> is made from a hydrophobic material being added to the thermoplastic material in the area of the joint <NUM> (e.g., during the thermo molding or extrusion process).

In some implementations, the hydrophobic section <NUM> is only proximate the joint <NUM>. For example, the hydrophobic section <NUM> only extends out <NUM> to <NUM> inches (and more preferably from about <NUM> to <NUM> inches) from the joint <NUM> (e.g., the hydrophobic section <NUM> has a width of about <NUM> to <NUM> inches). Given that there likely will be an added expense associated with the hydrophobic section <NUM>, as opposed to non-treated sections, it may not be desirable or necessary to have the entire or a majority of the out cover <NUM> be hydrophobic; although such an implementation is within the scope described herein.

As described above, the hydrophobic section <NUM> can be on one or both sides of the joint <NUM>. More generally, the first cover portion <NUM> has a first joint portion 210a proximate the joint <NUM> and the second cover portion <NUM> has a second joint portion 210b proximate the joint <NUM>. As such, the hydrophobic section <NUM> can include only one or both of the first and second joint portions 210a and 210b. For example, in the case of the hydrophobic section <NUM> including only one of the first and second joint portions 210a, 210b, in some implementations, the hydrophobic section <NUM> includes only the section 210b as any water on the top of the dispenser <NUM> will be pulled down by gravity towards the joint <NUM> and, thus, needs to be directed away from the joint, e.g., down the sides of the dispenser <NUM>. And any water on the outer cover <NUM> below the joint <NUM> will be pulled away from the joint <NUM> by gravity. However, in some cases, high pressure water may be directed at the dispenser <NUM> (e.g., in a food preparation room cleaning scenario) and thus water could be directed up from below the joint <NUM> into the joint <NUM>. In these cases it may be desirable to also have the hydrophobic section <NUM> include section 210a to discourage water from being pushed up into the joint <NUM>.

The width(s) of the various hydrophobic sections <NUM> (e.g., 210a, 210b) does not have to be constant. Rather, in some implementations, the hydrophobic section <NUM> has varying widths (in addition or alternative to varying lengths). For example, on one side of the joint <NUM>, the hydrophobic section <NUM> may start out as a wide line at a top <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> proximate the joint <NUM> and narrow as it extends towards and/or down the sides <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. As the top <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> is often flatter than the front, back or sides <NUM>, water may have a greater chance to penetrate the joint <NUM> at the top <NUM> because gravity does not have as great an effect on this flatter surface. As such, the water may have more dwell time on the top <NUM> and thus more of an opportunity to enter the interior <NUM>. To this end, it may be advantageous to have a wider line or section of hydrophobic material at the top <NUM> (e.g., as compared to the sides <NUM>) to provide a greater barrier to water penetrating the joint <NUM> at the top <NUM> in light of the longer dwell time.

In some implementations, the outer cover <NUM> includes a hydrophilic section <NUM> adjacent to the hydrophobic section <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. For example, the hydrophobic section <NUM>, e.g., 210a and 210b, abut the joint <NUM> and the hydrophilic section <NUM>, e.g., 502a and 502b, abut the hydrophobic section <NUM> such that the hydrophilic section <NUM> is further from the joint <NUM> than the hydrophobic section <NUM>. In this way, water is both repelled away from the joint <NUM> by the hydrophobic section <NUM> and pulled away from the joint <NUM> and hydrophobic section <NUM> by the hydrophilic section <NUM>. In some implementations, the hydrophilic section <NUM> extends along the joint <NUM> coextensive with the hydrophobic section <NUM> while in others the hydrophilic section <NUM> only extends along a partial length of the hydrophobic section <NUM>, e.g., only on the top <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>.

In some implementations, the hydrophobic section <NUM> (on one side of the joint <NUM>) includes two lines of hydrophobic material separated by a first distance to create a channel for the water directing any water in that area away from the joint <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, which is representation of an example product dispenser <NUM> with hydrophobic channel <NUM>. For example, the hydrophobic section <NUM> includes the hydrophobic channel <NUM>. In some implementations, the hydrophobic channel is formed by a hydrophobic line <NUM>, e.g., a <NUM> to <NUM> inch wide line, abutting (e.g., adjacent) to the joint <NUM> on one side and a neutral (e.g., neither hydrophobic nor hydrophilic) or hydrophilic channel <NUM> on the other side. On the far side of the channel <NUM>, furthest from the joint <NUM>, the channel <NUM> is bounded by another hydrophobic line <NUM>, similar to line <NUM>. Thus as water is directed towards the joint the two hydrophobic lines <NUM> and <NUM> encourage the water into the channel <NUM>, which may direct the water down the side <NUM> of the dispenser while keeping it away from the joint <NUM>. In some implementations, the channel <NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM> inches wide.

In some implementations, in addition or alternative to a hydrophobic section <NUM>, the dispenser <NUM> includes other types of liquid-phobic materials such as, for example, oleophobic or, more generally, omniphobic materials-materials that have a generally propensity to repel liquids. Further, the area proximate the joint <NUM> can have a surface pattern, e.g., a printed or etched pattern, as opposed to a chemical coating, that functions to repel one or more types of liquid. For example, the hydrophobic section <NUM> (or other liquid repellant section <NUM>) includes such a surface pattern to repel water (and/or other liquids depending on the particular pattern) (see, e.g., "Multifunctional surfaces produced by femtosecond laser pulses," Journal of Applied Physics <NUM>, <NUM> (<NUM>)).

<FIG> is a perspective view of the dispenser <NUM> of <FIG> with water (or another liquid) being repelled away from the joint <NUM>.

Although the above description has focused on repelling liquids away from the joint <NUM>, the same approach could be used for any other liquid-sensitive areas of the dispenser <NUM>. For example, in the case of a motorized dispenser <NUM>, if the dispenser <NUM> has a separate door to access batteries to use to power the motor, a hydrophobic section could be placed around that door. By way of another example, a hydrophobic (or other liquid-repelling material) section could be placed around the mouth of the dispenser <NUM>, i.e., the area where paper towels are dispensed, to keep liquid from dripping on towels as they are dispensed or are waiting to be dispensed.

Claim 1:
A dispenser (<NUM>) for dispensing absorbent product (<NUM>) comprising:
an outer cover (<NUM>) having a first cover portion (<NUM>), a second cover portion (<NUM>) and an interior region (<NUM>) configured to hold the absorbent product and at least partially defined by one or more of the first and second cover portions, wherein the first cover portion is movably engaged to at least a portion of the second cover portion along a cover joint (<NUM>);
wherein the outer cover includes a hydrophobic section (<NUM>) proximate the cover joint to direct any liquid on the cover near the cover joint away from the cover joint; and
wherein the hydrophobic section is only proximate the cover joint.