CA2377031A1

CA2377031A1 - Individual moistening apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA2377031A1
Application number: CA002377031A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gottlieb Moosbrugger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-21
Filing date: 2000-01-13
Publication date: 2001-02-01
Also published as: CN1374843A; US20020113149A1; AU3025500A; WO2001006903A1; EP1202660A1; HUP0201901A2

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for individually moistening cleaning tissues, in particular disposable napkins, comprising a moistening device (8, 10, 100) placed in a box (1, 110, 111).

Description

INDIVIDUAL MOISTENING APPARATUS
The invention relates to an apparatus for providing moistened cleaning tissues, in particular paper tissues, with a housing, whose upper portion has a device for s spraying a liquid in a downward direction, and whose lower portion has a support for the cleaning tissue to be moistened, as well as a storage space for the cleaning tissues, wherein a moistening chamber is formed between the upper and lower portion and wherein the upper portion includes a metering pump which is operated manually via a button.
to In particular in upscale restaurants, it is customary to offer guests paper napkins or the like to remove sticky or annoying food residues left on the mouth and/or hands after the consumption of food and drinks. Although the paper napkins are helpful in many cases, the dry wiping action is insufficient to thoroughly remove is such residues, in particular stuck-on food residues after eating sweets or greasy food. In particular after a meal of poultry or ribs, residues from these meals tend to stick to both the hands and the dry napkin.
Looking for a place to wash hands and face can be cumbersome or even 2o undesirable due to poor hygiene in the toilets. The resulting discomfort may cause the guests to leave the restaurant prematurely, with the proprietor losing income as a result.
It is also customary to wash up using moistened towels. For example, Zs WO 93/22961 discloses a hygiene box for toilets and bathrooms which allows moistening of individual sheets of toilet paper. For this purpose, a moistening space with a moistening trough is provided which is located above the tissue holder and includes a metering unit and a nozzle for spraying the moistening trough.

S
In a similar manner, existing cleaning tissues, such as paper napkins and handkerchiefs, can be adequately moistened and used to effectively remove the food residues. After having come in contact with butter, jam, fish, meat, poultry and the like, greasy or sticky hands can be completely cleaned by using the s moistened napkins. When the cleaning tissue is moistened by using a special cleaning fluid, the cleaning process after the meal produces both hygienic and antibacterial conditions, which also prevents infections.
It is an object of the invention to facilitate moistening of individual cleaning to tissues directly at the location where food and/or beverages are consumed, i.e., at a table in the restaurant, in a car or in an airplane, with a high level of comfort.
The object is solved in accordance with the invention by providing the device for spraying in a downwardly direction with an elastic sheet or membrane which is forms the upper boundary of the moistening chamber and which also includes a plurality of through channels which are impervious to fluid in the absence of an applied pressure, and which let fluid pass through when pressure is applied.
The through channels have a very small diameter and seal against fluid passage 2o due to the elasticity of the sheet or membrane. As soon as an increased pressure acts on the sheet or membrane, the sheet or membrane is pulled apart, whereby the through channels open until the cleaning fluid can enter the moistening chamber.
2s According to another embodiment of the invention, the side of the elastic sheet or membrane opposite the moistening chamber can form the boundary with an enclosed suction chamber. Both a supply line which is connected via a check valve with a storage container filled with a cleaning fluid, as well as a connecting line to a manually operated metering pump terminate in the suction chamber.

With the suction chamber constructed in this way, a certain volume of the cleaning fluid can be drawn off by the suction pump and subsequently pressed through the through channels which become enlarged under the pressure exerted by the suction pump and thereby let the liquid pass through.
According to an improvement of the invention, the through channels can be arranged on the elastic sheet or membrane in form of a matrix.
In this way, the through channels are distributed uniformly across the entire io surface of the elastic sheet or membrane and the paper tissue inserted into moistening chamber is hence evenly moistened.
A particular uniform moistening effect is achieved by arranging the moistening channels in a 13 x 13 matrix.
is According to another feature of the invention, the elastic sheet or membrane can be made of rubber, and the sheet or membrane can be mounted in a frame. In this way, the sheet or membrane can cover a relatively large area in the moistening chamber. A multi-part arrangement formed of individual sheets or 2o membranes can, however, also be provided.
According to another . embodiment of the invention, the elastic sheet or membrane can be prevented from sagging through reinforcement with a mesh extending parallel to the sheet or membrane, with the through channels arranged 2s inside the screen mesh.
The invention is further directed to a apparatus for individually moistening cleaning tissues, in particular paper towel, including a housing formed with a moistening chamber which is accessible from the outside and has an upper area 3o for arrangement of at least one spray nozzle and a lower area for arrangement of a flat support surface for a cleaning tissue, and wherein in self-service operation with a manually operated metering pump cleaning fluid can be applied to the cleaning tissue from a storage container located in the housing.
s It is an object of the invention to enable moistening of individual cleaning tissues directly at the location where food and beverages are consumed, i.e., at the table in a restaurant.
The object is solved according to the invention by forming the apparatus as a io freestanding unit that can be used in the field of gastronomy and placed openly on a guest table, whereby the housing is essentially formed as a block having a height which is less than the length of its lateral edges, wherein in the lower region of the block, below the support surface, a depository is arranged adapted to receive a stack of flat, unmoistened cleaning tissues, and wherein receiving is spaces for restaurant utensils, such as salt shakers, toothpick containers and a menu are provided on the housing.
Cleaning tissues can be moistened hygienically and efficiently because the apparatus of the invention can be located in a housing and placed for general 2o use, for example, on tables.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the housing - as viewed in the operating position - can include a lower housing portion for supporting a cleaning tissue and an upper housing portion disposed offset in height with respect to the 2s lower housing portion and having a bottom side for arrangement of at least one spray nozzle, wherein the lower and the upper housing portions are connected with one another at least on one side, so that the space between the lower and the upper housing portions forms the moistening chamber, which is open on at least one side, for incorporation of a single cleaning tissue which can be 3o moistened by using the at least one spray nozzle.

According to another configuration of the invention, the lower housing portion and the upper housing portion can be connected in one piece with one another. In this way, the housing can easily be manufactured as an injection-molded part.
s According to another embodiment of the invention, access to the moistening apparatus can be facilitated by having the upper housing portion overlap only partially the lower housing portion. The moistening chamber which extends between the upper and lower housing portions is then easily accessible, so that the paper napkin or the like can be moistened without requiring intricate handling.
io In another configuration of the invention, the flat support surface can be made of an absorbent insert, for example a sponge insert.
The absorbent insert absorbs the excess liquid, which has been discharged by is the moistening apparatus but has not been absorbed by the paper napkin, and distributes it uniformly on the underside of the paper napkin, thereby preventing the excess liquid from leaving the moistening chamber.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the moistening chamber 2o can include a pull-out tray with the support surface for the cleaning tissue to be moistened, wherein the tray with the cleaning tissue resting thereon can be pushed into the moistening chamber. The pull-out tray makes the moistening operation more comfortable because the tray can be designed to open and close automatically, like a CD drive. Moreover, the tray completely seals the 2s moistening chamber in its retracted position, thereby preventing dirt from entering the chamber.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one fluid nozzle is arranged on the bottom side of the upper housing portion.
3o The downwardly oriented fluid nozzles spray the cleaning fluid onto the cleaning tissue located below the upper housing portion. The lower housing portion which is located underneath and has an absorbent support receives the excess cleaning fluid.
s According to another embodiment of the invention, the upper housing portion can be formed as a hollow body in which the supply lines, which are not visible from the outside, are placed between the storage container and the manually operated pump.
io According to a further configuration of the invention, the storage container can also be integrated within the housing by forming the connecting piece between the lower and upper housing portions as a hollow body, in which the storage container is placed.
is Moreover, a swivel foot can be disposed on the bottom side of the housing, whereby the housing can be rotated about a vertical axis. In this way, the housing can be placed on a table, and each occupant of the table can rotate the housing so as to bring the moistening chamber into a position that is best suited for inserting and moistening the cleaning tissue.
The apparatus according to the invention can be operated comfortably from several sides when the moistening chamber is open on three lateral sides.
According to another design of the invention, the apparatus can be constructed in 2s a very practical manner by arranging the moistening chamber in a housing with a lateral rectangular opening on one side to form the open side of the moistening chamber.
According to another improvement of the invention, the supply of cleaning fluid 3o can be easily checked when the storage container for the cleaning fluid is disposed on the rear side of the housing and is provided with a level indicator.
The invention is furthermore directed to the use of a apparatus for individually moistening cleaning tissues, in particular paper towels, which includes a spray s unit arranged in a housing, for application in the gastronomical environment.
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It is shown in io FIG. 1 an oblique view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;
FIG. 2 a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
is FIG. 3 a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 a sectional view parallel to a side face of the apparatus according to the invention of FIG. 1;
2o FIG. 5 a sectional view parallel to the front face of the apparatus according to the invention of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 an oblique view of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;
FIG. 7 a sectional view taken parallel to a side face of the apparatus of FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 a side view of another embodiment of the invention;
3o FIG. 9 a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 8; and FIG. 11 a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 8.
s FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for individually moistening cleaning tissues, in particular paper napkins, having a moistening apparatus 10 arranged in a housing 1. The apparatus can also be used to individually moisten paper napkins, handkerchiefs, kitchen towels and the like, to enhance the cleaning action of these tissues. The topside of the housing 1 includes an element 5 for io activating the moistening apparatus 10, which in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, is formed as a pushbutton actuator.
In addition, the housing 1 includes - as viewed in the operating position - a lower housing portion 70 for depositing the cleaning towel and an upper housing is portion 7 extending offset in height with respect to the lower housing portion 70 and having a bottom side for arrangement of the moistening apparatus which is formed as a spray unit 10 with a spraying direction - as viewed in the operating position - directed essentially downwardly.
2o The lower housing portion 70 and the upper housing portion 7 are connected in one piece with one another. The pushbutton actuator 5 is arranged on the topside of the upper housing portion 7.
The space between the lower and upper housing portions 70, 7 forms a 2s moistening chamber 2 which is open on at least one side, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 on three sides, and provided for insertion of an individual cleaning tissue which can be moistened with the spray unit 10. .
The topside of the lower housing portion 70 includes a support surface formed of 3o an absorbent insert, which is formed by a sponge insert 25 or the like, and provided for placement of a napkin which can be moistened. The sponge absorbs excess fluid and also promotes an even distribution of the liquid of the cleaning tissue. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the spray unit is comprised of several fluid nozzles 10 which are arranged on an upper boundary wall of the s moistening chamber 2. Of course, it is also possible to provide only one central nozzle or to provide another method of spraying or wetting the moistening towel can be provided. Also, the paper towel may be moistened by using a trough containing a liquid and located inside the moistening chamber.
io As seen in FIG. 4, the fluid nozzles 10 are connected via supply lines 14 with the outlet of a suction pump 20, 21, which in turn is connected via a fluid line 23 with a storage container for receiving a cleaning fluid 26, e.g., water. During operation of the suction pump 20, 21, liquid is withdrawn from the container with each pump stroke and simultaneously sprayed by the nozzles 10. Instead of is pure water, the container 26 may also contain another liquid, which may contain a fragrance or a cleaning additive. The suction pump 20, 21 is operated by pressing the pushbutton actuator 5.
The lower region of the housing 1 includes a depository 6 for receiving a plurality 20 of cleaning tissues, from which an individual tissue to be moistened can be removed as needed. Additional recesses 3, 4 intended for various restaurant utensils, such as a salt shaker, toothpick container or the like, are provided as an integral component on the topside and backside of the housing 1. A
compartment 11 formed by a shelf wall 14 can be used to store a menu. The 2s bottom side of the housing 1 also includes a swivel foot 12, so that the housing can be rotated about a vertical axis.
By activating the pushbutton 5, cleaning fluid can be pumped through the fluid nozzles 10, moistening the cleaning tissue located below. The moistening 3o chamber can have a variety of shapes and can also be open only on one side.

The design and arrangement of the fluid nozzles 10 can be adapted to the shape of the housing 1. However, care should be taken to prevent liquid from the chamber 2 to directly reach the user.
s According to another, not shown, embodiment of the invention, the moistening chamber can include a pullout tray with a support surface for the cleaning tissue to be moistened. The tray with the cleaning tissue resting thereon can be inserted into the moistening chamber. In this way, the apparatus of the invention is particularly suited for use in automobiles, airplanes or the like, where the io housing can be integrated in a console, for example of an automobile. After it has been moistened, the tissue can be pulled out again of the moistening chamber with the tray.
In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the moistening apparatus 15 is is arranged in a housing 1 which has on one side a rectangular opening 16 to form the open side of the moistening chamber 2. To improve stability, the housing 1 is arranged on a base 10 which can also be implemented as a rotary table, so that the opening 16 can be reached from any side.
2o The moistening apparatus includes an elastic sheet or membrane 8 which - as seen in the operating position - forms at least partially the upper boundary of the moistening chamber 2 and which has a plurality of through channels 15 which are impervious to liquid in the absence of an applied pressure and which allows passage of liquid when pressure is applied. The number of through channels is 2s not limited and can be adapted to a particular application. Even the arrangement of only a single through channel would be conceivable. A state without applied pressure is to be understood as a state wherein no external mechanical pressure is applied to the elastic sheet or membrane 8. The thickness of the sheet or membrane 8 can be adapted to the number of through channels and the applied 30 load and is preferably in the range of several millimeters.

On the side opposite the moistening chamber 2, the elastic sheet or membrane 8 bounds an enclosed suction chamber 9. A supply line 7 which is connected via a check valve 3 with a storage container 13 filled with a cleaning fluid, for example s water, as well as a connecting line 18 leading to a manually actuatable suction pump 4 terminate in the suction chamber 9. Instead of pure water, the container 13 can be filled with a different liquid, which may contain a fragrance or a cleaning additive.
to The suction chamber 9 can be adapted to sealingly retain the cleaning fluid by providing through openings with a very small diameter in the range of tenths of millimeters or less, which seal automatically in a pressureless state as a consequence of the elasticity of the sheet or membrane 8.
is The suction pump 4 can be operated manually via the pushbutton 5. Cleaning fluid is always drawn into the suction chamber 9 when the pushbutton 5, which is pretensioned by a spring, returns to its initial position after being pressed, thereby drawing in cleaning fluid from the storage container 13 in the passage mode of the check valve 3.
When the pushbutton 5 is pressed, however, the check valve 3 closes and the cleaning fluid contained in the suction chamber 9 is pressed against the elastic sheet or membrane 8, applying pressure to the sheet or membrane 8, so that the thereby produced tension in the elastic sheet or membrane 8 opens the through 2s channels 15 to such an extent that the cleaning fluid can drop onto the paper napkins located in the moistening chamber 2, moistening the same.
To uniformly distribute the liquid across the paper towel inserted in the moistening chamber 2, the through channels 15 on the elastic sheet or 3o membrane 8 are arranged in form of a matrix, preferably a 13 x 13 matrix.

However, the mutual distance of the through channels 15 may be selected arbitrarily.
Preferably, the elastic sheet or membrane 8 is formed of rubber and mounted in s a frame firmly enough to withstand the pressure of the suction pump exerted from above. To prevent sagging, the elastic sheet or membrane 8 is reinforced by a mesh, not shown, which extends in parallel relationship thereto, wherein the through channels 15 are arranged inside the mesh screen.
io Provided in the moistening chamber 2 is a support surface 14 (FIG. 2) for an absorbent sponge insert or the like, on which the paper napkins can be placed and moistened. The sponge absorbs excess liquid, thereby evenly distributing the liquid over the cleaning tissue. A shelf wall 14 is formed of the backside of the housing 1 for receiving, for example, a menu. The storage container 13 for is the cleaning fluid, which can be equipped with a fill level indicator, is also arranged in the area of the backside of the housing 1.
In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8 to 11, the upper housing portion 7 overlaps the lower housing portion 70 only partially and the cleaning tissue is 2o moistened exclusively via a single central fluid nozzle 100. A pushbutton actuator 50 can be activated to moisten a cleaning tissue supported under the nozzle 100.
Instead of the single nozzle 100, a membrane according to the exemplified embodiment of FIGS. 6, 7 or a plurality of nozzles can be employed.
2s The lower portion 70 is formed as a semicircle when viewed in plan view.
The upper portion 7 essentially matches this shape and is set back relative to the lower portion, wherein the front edge of the upper portion 7 terminates approximately in the area of the center of the semicircle of the lower section (FIG. 11 ).

Two shelf walls 140 adapted to receive a menu and other information carriers are formed on the backside of the housing 110. The topside of the housing 110 has several indentations 160, 161, 162, 163, for placement of, for example, salt and pepper shakers, toothpicks and beer coasters. These indentations, however, s can also be used for other purposes. For example, writing utensils, paper clips, rubber bands and the like can be stored in the indentations, when the apparatus of the invention is used in an office. The housing 1 rests on feet 180.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing moistened cleaning tissues, in particular paper tissues, with a housing (1), whose upper portion (7) has a device (10) for spraying a liquid in a downward direction, and whose lower portion (70) has a support (25) for the cleaning tissue to be moistened, as well as a storage space (6) for the cleaning tissues, wherein a moistening chamber (2) is formed between the upper and lower portions and wherein the upper portion (7) includes a metering pump (20, 21) which is operated manually via a button (5), characterized in that the device for spraying in a downward direction includes an elastic sheet or membrane (8), which forms the upper boundary of the moistening chamber (2) and which includes a plurality of through channels (15) which are impervious to fluid in the absence of an applied pressure, and which let fluid pass through when pressure is applied.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the side of the elastic sheet or membrane (8) opposite the moistening chamber (2) bounds a closed suction chamber (9), in which both a supply line (7) which is connected via a check valve (3) with a storage container (13) filled with a cleaning fluid, as well as a connecting line (6) to the manually operated metering pump (20, 21 ) terminate.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the through channels (15) are arranged on the elastic sheet or membrane (8) in form of a matrix.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the matrix formed of the through channels (15) is a 13 x 13 matrix.

5. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the elastic sheet or membrane (8) is formed of rubber, and the sheet or membrane (8) is mounted in a frame.

6. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elastic sheet or membrane (8) is reinforced by a mesh extending in parallel relationship thereto, with the through channels (15) being arranged inside the screen mesh.

7. Apparatus for individually moistening cleaning tissues, in particular paper napkins, with a housing (1) in which a moistening chamber (2) is formed which is accessible from the outside and has an upper area for arrangement of at least one spray nozzle (10) and a lower area for arrangement of a flat support surface for a cleaning tissue, and wherein in self-service operation with a manually operated metering pump (20, 21) cleaning fluid can be applied to the cleaning tissue from a storage container (26) located in the housing, characterized in that the apparatus is formed as a freestanding unit that can be used in the gastronomical environment and openly placed on a guest table, for which purpose the housing (1) is essentially formed as a block having a height that is less than the length of its lateral edges, wherein in the lower region of the block, below the support surface, a depository (6) is arranged for receiving a stack of flat, unmoistened cleaning tissues, and wherein receiving spaces (3, 4, 11) for restaurant utensils, such as salt shakers, toothpick containers and a menu are provided on the housing (1).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the housing (1 ) - as viewed in the operating position - includes a lower housing portion (70) with the flat support surface for a cleaning tissue and an upper housing portion (7) located offset in height with respect to the lower housing portion (70), with the at least one spray nozzle (10) disposed on the bottom side of the upper housing portion (7), wherein the lower and upper housing portions (70, 7) are connected with one another at least on one side, so that the space between the lower and upper housing portions (7, 70) forms the moistening chamber (2) which is open on at least one side and intended for insertion of an individual cleaning tissue, which can be moistened by using the at least one spray nozzle (10).

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the lower housing portion (70) and the upper housing portion (7) are connected in one piece with one another.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the upper housing portion (70) only partially overlaps the lower housing portion (7).

11. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the flat support surface is formed by an absorbent insert (25).

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the absorbent insert is formed by a sponge insert (25).

13. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the moistening chamber (2) includes a pull-out tray with the support surface for the cleaning tissue to be moistened, wherein the tray with the cleaning tissue resting thereon can be inserted into the moistening chamber (2).

14. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the at least one fluid nozzle (10) is arranged on the bottom side of the upper housing portion (7).

15. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the upper housing portion is formed as a hollow body (7) in which supply lines (14) between the storage container (26) and the manually operated pump (20, 21) are placed.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the connecting piece between the lower and upper housing portions (70, 7) is formed as a hollow body, in which the storage container (26) is arranged.

17. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a swivel foot (12) is disposed on the bottom side of the housing (1), so that the housing (1) is rotatable about a vertical axis.

18. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the moistening chamber (2) is open on three sides.

19. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing has a rectangular opening (16) on one side to form the open side of the moistening chamber (2).

20. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 19, characterized in that the storage container (13, 26) for the cleaning fluid is arranged on the rear side of the housing (1) and provided with a level indicator (30).

21. Use of an apparatus for individually moistening cleaning tissues, in particular paper napkins, which includes a spray unit (10, 100) arranged in a housing (1, 110, 111), for application in a restaurant environment.