GB2575328A - Dispensing and disposal unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing and disposal unit 10 for storing wipes comprises a wipe dispensing compartment 12, a wipe disposal compartment 14 with a bin receiving area 14b for a wheeled bin 100, a partition 16 between the compartments 12, 14, and a wheeled bin 100. The wipe dispensing compartment 12 is disposed over the wipe disposal compartment 14 and includes a dispensing means for the wipes. The wipe disposal compartment 14 includes a metal enclosure 14b for protecting the bin 100, and the bin 100 is storable in the enclosure 14b. An opening (28a, Fig 4A) allows movement of the bin 100 into/out of the enclosure 14b, with a movable upright closure element (28, Fig 3) for closing the opening (28a, Fig 4A). A disposal aperture (30, Fig 4B) leads into an upper region of the enclosure 14b, and a second closure element 38 is provided for closing the disposal aperture 30. Also included is a wipe dispensing unit characterised by a projection below the disposal aperture to direct wipes into the bin, and also a unit characterised by at least one foot to raise the unit off the ground with a ramp to facilitate the movement of the bin in and an out of the enclosure.

Description

DISPENSING AND DISPOSAL UNIT

The present invention relates to a dispensing and disposal unit for wipes.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Manufacturing plant equipment and machine tools require cleaning to ensure continued optimum performance. This applies to manufacturing industries which use oils, greases, solvents and/or inks with their equipment or tools, such as the automotive or metalworking industries.

Cleaning cloths (also known as wipes or ‘wipers’) are used to absorb such unwanted contaminants. They can also pick up detritus such as metal debris which may be left over from previous manufacturing operations. The supply of unused (clean) wipes is often provided in a wheelie bin, along with a second wheelie bin into which used (dirty) wipes can be deposited. The bin of used wipes is then collected, the wipes recycled or processed to remove the hazardous materials, and then returned for re-use.

The wipes are normally kept in the same bins they are delivered/collected in. There is often not enough space to put the two bins next to each other, so there are different points for collecting and disposing of wipes. The bins occupy substantial floor space and, particularly when positioned together, the bins can inhibit the movement of workers in a facility. They may also be moved periodically, and because they are short relative to other apparatus, it can be difficult to see them from a distance. In addition, the bins are cumbersome to move for installation.

The wheelie bins are typically made of plastic, and are certified for carrying dangerous goods, because some used wipes can carry hazardous materials. However, regulations or insurance policies often require that wipes with hazardous materials are stored in metal, lidded containers. There are no suitably certified metal containers for the storage and transport of used wipes, which puts end users in a difficult position for complying with the terms of the regulations or insurance policies.

It is often preferable to use the bins for wipe storage and disposal, because this is more convenient than moving the clean wipes to another location, and then later moving dirty wipes back into a bin or other disposal unit. If the wipes are delivered in a cabinet, for example, it will be much heavier than a wheeled bin and more difficult to position as desired.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing and disposal unit for storing wipes, the unit comprising a housing comprising a wipe dispensing compartment for unused wipes, a wipe disposal compartment for used wipes, the wipe disposal compartment including a bin receiving area for the wheeled bin, a partition between the wipe dispensing and disposal compartments, and a wheeled bin for the unit, the wipe dispensing compartment being disposed over the wipe disposal compartment and including dispensing means for taking out unused wipes, and the wipe disposal compartment including a metal enclosure for receiving and protecting the wheeled bin, the wheeled bin being storable in the metal enclosure, an opening for allowing movement of the wheeled bin into and out of the metal enclosure, a movable upright closure element (or door) for closing the opening, a disposal aperture leading into an upper region of the metal enclosure, and a second closure element for closing the disposal aperture.

Optional features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

This advantageously provides a single unit for storing and dispensing unused wipes, as well as receiving and storing used wipes. The unit is more visible from distance than a wheeled bin due to the compartments being stacked on top of each other. The disposal compartment also is big enough to hold and protect a wheeled bin. A wheeled bin is where the wipes are conventionally stored, and so it can be easily taken away for processing without disrupting existing operational procedures. The footprint of the unit is effectively equivalent to the wheeled bin, which substantially reduces (i.e. halves) the floor area required for storing a given number of wipes.

The wipes are dispensed and thrown away at the same point, which saves time by avoiding the need to travel between different points for dispensing and disposal. Using a partition between the compartments maximises the space available for the wheeled bin, because there is no unused space between the dispensing and disposal compartments.

The unit also solves the issue that users face regarding regulatory and insurance requirements. This is because the wheeled bin is housed in a metal enclosure, which meets safety requirements for the stored hazardous materials in the used wipes in the event of a fire. The wheeled bins are also suitable for the storage of hazardous materials, and for later transport. The unit is suitable for storing wipes in compliance with a known safety standard.

The metal enclosure can be provided for just the disposal compartment. However, in some cases, the entire unit is made of metal.

A projection may be provided below the disposal aperture. The projection may be a ledge. The projection may extend into the metal enclosure for directing wipes from the disposal aperture into the wheeled bin. The projection bridges the gap between the disposal aperture and the open end of the bin, stopping wipes from dropping into the gap between the closure element and the side of the bin. This means that the disposal aperture does not need to be a significant height above the top of the bin, i.e. it is not necessary to rely wholly on projectile motion for the wipes to drop into the bin.

At least one foot may be connected below the wipe disposal compartment for raising the wipe disposal compartment off the ground. A ramp may be provided at the front of the wipe disposal compartment for aiding movement of the wheeled bin from/to the ground to/from the raised wipe disposal compartment. This is easier than trying to lift the bin over a threshold into or out of the metal enclosure. Since the wheeled bin is open on top for receiving wipes at the time it is removed from the enclosure, providing a ramp also minimises the risk that the bin is accidentally tipped over, spilling the hazardous materials, relative to lifting the bin out.

Two feet may be provided for example. The feet may together be adapted for receiving a pallet skid truck or forklift forks. This makes it easier to move the unit into position in a facility, using a pallet moving apparatus or forklift, for example.

The ramp may be movable into the wipe disposal compartment for storage. The ramp may be hinged at or near a front edge of the wipe disposal compartment. This may allow the ramp to fold into the wipe disposal compartment. This keeps it out of the way when the unit is located in or adjacent to a thoroughfare. The ramp may be connected to the movable closure element. This may allow the closure element to deploy the ramp on moving the element to uncover the opening and/or stow the ramp on closing that element across the opening.

The disposal aperture may be provided through a substantially vertical surface of the unit. This means that the user reaches across the top of the wheeled bin through the aperture, rather than down into the bin. This mitigates potential contact with the hazardous materials in the bin.

The projection may span substantially at least the width of the disposal aperture. This ensures that the wipes should not fall down between the wheeled bin and the closure element irrespective of the region of the disposal aperture into which the used wipe is deposited.

The projection may be provided on a face of the movable upright closure element of the wipe disposal compartment. By providing the projection on the inside of the closure element, it is moved away from the wheeled bin when the closure element is moved to an open position. Thus, when withdrawing an over-full bin from the enclosure, the projection is not in a position to dislodge or skim off excess wipes from the bin.

The disposal aperture may be provided through the movable upright closure element of the wipe disposal compartment. This enables a taller bin to be used, as the full volume of the metal enclosure can be accessed, which also makes it easier to take the bin out and put an empty bin in.

The dispensing means may include a dispensing aperture. The dispensing means may include a sloped surface for directing wipes towards the dispensing aperture. The sloped surface may be part of the partition.

The dispensing aperture may be positioned above a lower end of the sloped surface. This may provide a lip for retaining wipes in the wipe dispensing compartment. This is useful when the compartment is only partially full of wipes.

The dispensing means may include a funnel element for directing wipes sideways to the dispensing aperture. This works in combination with the sloped base, so that wipes are funnelled under gravity towards the middle of the dispensing aperture. The wipes do not spill out of their own accord due to the size and shape of the funnel element and/or dispensing aperture. For example, the funnel element may include a front wall which is fixed in place in the compartment, with an aperture which corresponds to the dispensing aperture. Friction between the plurality of wipes in the compartment also helps avoid wipes spilling out, optionally aided by the lip mentioned above.

The funnel element may extend into the wipe dispensing compartment from a side edge or opposing side edges of the dispensing aperture. This ensures that wipes do not slide out of view to one or both sides of the dispensing aperture.

The dispensing aperture and the disposal aperture may be provided next to each other on the same side of the unit. This makes it quick and easy to dispose of a used wipe and withdraw a clean wipe with a minimum of time and effort.

The second closure element may be a metal flap. The flap may hang across the disposal aperture. This allows the flap to close under gravity, so it is less likely to become stuck open, which would potentially compromise the protective nature of the metal enclosure for containing the hazardous material in the wipes. A biasing mechanism may be connected to the flap to bias it shut to provide enhanced safety.

The wipe dispensing compartment may include a movable closure element for re-filling the wipe dispensing compartment with wipes. The dispensing aperture may be provided through the movable closure element of the wipe dispensing compartment. To avoid the wipes spilling out, a (possibly split) bag of wipes may be put in and the bag then drawn out via the dispensing aperture whilst leaving the wipes in situ, for example.

The unit may include a sloped top surface. The slope angle may be about 6 degrees. The top surface may slope downwardly from the rear of the unit to the front of the unit. Providing a sloped top reduces the extent to which dust and other detritus collects on top of the unit, and also permits easier cleaning. It also enables easier inspection for evidence of rodent activity.

The wipe disposal compartment and the movable upright closure element may each have a height of substantially 0.75 metres or greater for accommodating the wheeled bin. Preferably, the height is substantially 0.85 metres or greater. More preferably, the height is substantially around 1 metre or greater. The height may be substantially in the range 0.9 metres to 1.2 metres. This means that a taller wheeled bin can be used, and the frequency with which the bin needs to be emptied or changed is lower.

The metal enclosure may be substantially fire resistant. The enclosure may include a non-combustible sheet. The metal enclosure may be certified for compliance with industry standards pertaining to the storage or transport of flammable or combustible goods. In particular, the enclosure may be certified for compliance with one or more of: standard UNTH2W, standard UN3175 and standard UN3088. These standards essentially relate to flammable solids or spontaneously combustible materials. For example, where solvents or inks have been absorbed into used wipes, the enclosure should be robust enough to safely contain a fire. The enclosure should also substantially protect the wheeled bin / used wipes from external sources of ignition, e g. sparks or heat sources.

The wheeled bin may include a container and a hinged lid for the container. When the bin is in the enclosure, the hinged lid may be disposed in a space between the container and the movable upright closure element or a wall of the wipe disposal compartment. This allows wipes to pass into the container without obstruction.

The wheeled bin may have a volume in the range 150 to 300 litres. Preferably the wheeled bin has a volume of 170 litres or 250 litres. The wipe disposal compartment should be correspondingly shaped and sized to accommodate this. Ideally, the volume of the wipe disposal compartment includes a headspace above the wheeled bin, when the bin is located in the metal enclosure. This provides room for the wipes to pass into the open bin. The length and width of the metal enclosure should therefore be similar to (but at least marginally greater than) the wheeled bin, whilst the height of the metal enclosure should be substantially greater than the height of the wheeled bin.

The unit may include a plurality of wipes. A wipe is considered to be a highly absorbent cloth for absorbing or causing adherence of one or more of the following: oil; solvent; ink; grease; particulate matter; metal shards, shavings or scraps. The wipes are preferably recyclable or reusable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing and disposal unit for storing wipes, the unit comprising a housing comprising a wipe dispensing compartment for unused wipes, a wipe disposal compartment for used wipes, the wipe disposal compartment including a bin receiving area for a wheeled bin, and a partition between the wipe dispensing and disposal compartments, the wipe dispensing compartment being disposed over the wipe disposal compartment and including dispensing means for taking out unused wipes, and the wipe disposal compartment including an enclosure for protecting the wheeled bin, an opening for allowing movement of the wheeled bin into and out of the enclosure, a movable upright closure element for closing the opening, a disposal aperture which leads into an upper region of the enclosure, a second closure element for closing the disposal aperture, and a projection below the disposal aperture and extending into the enclosure for directing wipes from the disposal aperture into the wheeled bin.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing and disposal unit for storing wipes, the unit comprising a housing comprising a wipe dispensing compartment for unused wipes, a wipe disposal compartment for used wipes, the wipe disposal compartment including a bin receiving area for a wheeled bin, and a partition between the wipe dispensing and disposal compartments, the wipe dispensing compartment being disposed over the wipe disposal compartment and including dispensing means for taking out unused wipes, and the wipe disposal compartment including an enclosure for protecting the wheeled bin, an opening for allowing movement of the wheeled bin into and out of the enclosure, a movable upright closure element for closing the opening, a disposal aperture which leads into an upper region of the enclosure, and a second closure element for closing the disposal aperture, in which at least one foot is connected below the wipe disposal compartment for raising the wipe disposal compartment off the ground, and a movable ramp is provided at the front of the wipe disposal compartment for aiding movement of the wheeled bin from/to the ground to/from the raised wipe disposal compartment.

The second and/or third aspects of the invention may include any one or more features, in isolation or in combination with any one or more other features, which are set out for the first aspect of the invention. For example, the enclosure may be a metal enclosure, or a protective enclosure which is sufficiently fire resistant, for example. The disposal aperture may be provided through a substantially upright surface, to lead into an upper end of the enclosure. A wheeled bin may be provided for storage in the enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a wipe dispensing and disposal unit according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the unit of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged sectional view of the unit shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4A shows a front view of the unit of Figure 1, with the lower compartment door open;

Figure 4B shows a side cross-sectional view of the unit of Figure 4A;

Figure 5 A shows a front view of the unit of Figure 1, with the upper compartment door open; and

Figure 5B shows a side cross-sectional view of the unit of Figure 5 A.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 to 5B, an embodiment of a dispensing and disposal unit for storing wipes is indicated generally at 10. The unit 10 includes a body or housing made of metal. A top surface 10a of the unit is sloped. The angle of the slope is approximately 6 degrees in this embodiment.

The unit 10 includes a wipe dispensing compartment 12 for storing a plurality of unused wipes, and a wipe disposal compartment 14 for a wheeled bin 100 for storing a plurality of used wipes. The wipe dispensing compartment 12 is positioned over the wipe disposal compartment 14. The wipe disposal compartment 14 is about twice as tall as the wipe dispensing compartment 12. A partition or separating member 16 is provided between the compartments 14, 16. The partition 16 is sloped. The wipe disposal compartment 14 is about 1 metre high. The wipe dispensing compartment 12 is about 0.5 metres high.

Two feet 18 are provided at the base of the unit 10. The feet 18 raise the wipe disposal compartment 14 off the ground. Each foot 18 includes an aperture or receiving area 18a. The receiving areas 18a are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to a separation between forks of a forklift vehicle, or to a separation between the support arms of a pallet truck. The receiving areas 18a are also sized to receive the forks or support arms of those apparatuses. This allows the unit 10 to be engaged via its feet 18 for moving the unit 10 to a new position.

The wipe dispensing compartment 12 includes a door 20 which closes an opening (indicated generally at 20a in Figure 5 A) at the front of that compartment 12. The door 20 is open in Figure 5A and closed in Figure 5B. Figure 5B is a view taken along axis B of Figure 5A. The door 20 is lockable via a locking mechanism 20b.

A dispensing aperture 22 is provided through a lower section of the door 20. The dispensing aperture 22 is located equidistant from side edges of the door 20. An upper surface of the partition 16 provides a sloped base 24 for the wipe dispensing compartment 12. This guides wipes towards the dispensing aperture 22 under gravity. The angle of the slope is greater than the slope of the top surface 10a of the unit 10. The angle is approximately 12 degrees. The lower end of the sloped base 24 lies below a lower edge of the dispensing aperture 22. This can provide a lip 25 which helps to retain wipes in the compartment 12.

A funnel 26 is provided at a lower front region of the wipe dispensing compartment 12. The funnel 26 includes a front wall 26a (seen in Figure 5A) with an aperture 26b. The front wall 26a stops residual wipes from spilling out when the dispensing compartment is opened for re-filling, as seen in Figure 4A. The front wall 26a also provides a lip in this embodiment.

The aperture 26b substantially corresponds to the dispensing aperture 22 in size, shape and position. The funnel 26 also includes angled surfaces 26c behind and to either side of the aperture 26b. One of the angled surfaces 26c can be seen from the side in Figures 4B and 5B. The angled surfaces 26c guide wipes towards a centre of the aperture 26b from either side under gravity. Each angled surface 26c leads to a side edge of the aperture 26b.

The wipe disposal compartment 14 includes a metal enclosure 14b, because the body of the unit is made of metal. The metal enclosure 14b is a portion of the body in this embodiment. The metal enclosure 14b protects the hazardous or flammable materials in the used wipes from potential sources of ignition, and can also substantially contain or delay the spread of a fire should they become ignited.

The wipe disposal compartment 14 includes another door 28, which closes an opening (indicated generally at 28a in Figure 4A) at the front of that compartment 14. The door 28 is open in Figure 4A and closed in Figure 4B. Figure 4B is a view taken along axis A of Figure 4A. The door 28 is lockable via a locking mechanism 28b.

A disposal aperture 30 is provided through an upper section of the door 28. The disposal aperture 30 is located through an upright surface of the unit 10. The disposal aperture 30 is located equidistant from side edges of the door 28. The disposal aperture 30 is located substantially adjacent to the dispensing aperture 22. The disposal aperture 30 is about 1.5x greater in height than the dispensing aperture 22.

The wheeled bin 100 is provided in a bin receiving area (indicated generally at 14a) of the wipe disposal compartment 14. The bin 100 is an industry standard bin. It is made of plastic. The bin 100 is UN-certified for carrying hazardous materials, particularly those covered under UN standard UNIH2W. The bin 100 is approximately 90 cm tall.

The bin 100 includes a container 102 and a hinged lid 104, which is folded over to leave the container 102 open when the bin 100 is in the unit 10. The container 102 has a volume of 250 litres in this embodiment. The bin includes also includes two wheels 106. The open end of the bin 100 is lower than the disposal aperture 30. The bin 100 includes a handle 108, seen in Figure 4A. The handle 108 is accessible even though the lid 104 is folded over. The lid 104 is disposed between the bin 100 and an inside face of the wipe disposal compartment door 28. The inside face is visible in Figure 4B.

A lower surface of the partition 16 provides a roof 32 for the wipe disposal compartment

12. The roof 32 is sloped in this embodiment, although it may be substantially horizontal in other embodiments. There is a space 34 between the open end of the bin 100 and the roof 32. The space 34 is about 18 cm in height at the opening. This provides enough room to tilt the bin 100 and manoeuvre it out of or back into the wipe disposal compartment 14.

A ledge or projection 36 is provided below the disposal aperture 30. In this particular embodiment, it is at the same height as a lower edge of the disposal aperture 30, as seen in Figure 4B. The ledge 36 is provided at a height above the open end of the bin 100. The ledge 36 is mounted to the inside face of the door 28. The ledge 36 is approximately as wide as the disposal aperture 30 across the inside face of the door 28. The ledge 36 extends towards the other side of the wipe disposal compartment 14. The ledge 36 is substantially horizontal in this embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that the ledge may be sloped in some embodiments, and it may be positioned correspondingly higher relative to the open end of the bin 100.

As shown in Figure 3, the ledge 36 extends sufficiently far that it ends above part of the hinged lid 104. In use, when the bin 100 is located in the wipe dispensing compartment 14, this provides a stepped arrangement. Thus, when a wipe is deposited through the disposal aperture 30 but without enough momentum to fall directly into the bin 100, it will fall onto the ledge 36 and/or the uppermost part of the lid 104. It will then tumble or slide into the bin 100.

A flap 38 is provided to cove the disposal aperture 30. The flap 38 is made of metal. The flap 38 is hangs across the disposal aperture 30. The flap 38 is mounted to the inside face of the door 28 by a hinge mechanism 38a connected at the top of the disposal aperture 30.

A movable ramp 40 is provided for moving the wheeled bin 100 between the wipe disposal compartment and the ground. The ramp 40 is hinged at the front of the base of the wipe disposal compartment 14. The ramp 40 folds out of the compartment for enabling easier movement of the bin 100 out of and back into the unit 10. The deployed position is seen in Figure 4B, whilst the stowed position is shown in Figure 5B.

In use, the wheeled bin 100 is housed in the wipe disposal compartment 14. Clean wipes are withdrawn from the dispensing aperture 22, used, and then disposed of via the disposal aperture 30. Since the aperture is in an upright face of the unit 10, i.e. the door 28, there is no possibility of the user inadvertently reaching into the hazardous materials in the bin. The used wipes pass across the ledge 36 and into the open end of the bin 100.

When the bin 100 is full (or it is due for a scheduled collection), the door 28 is unlocked, the ramp 40 lowered, and the bin 100 rolled out of the compartment 14 and down the ramp 40. The lid 104 is then closed and secured, and transported away to recycle the wipes. A replacement bin (not shown), typically empty, has its lid folded over to leave the bin open. The replacement bin is then wheeled up the ramp 40 and into the space vacated by the first bin 100, and the door 28 closed.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may use an enclosure which does not necessarily include metal. For example, the enclosure may be a fire resistant or fireproof enclosure. A non-combustible sheet or liner may be provided as part of the enclosure.

In some embodiments, the ramp may be connected to the lower door, so that opening the door lowers the ramp, and closing the door stows the ramp. It will be appreciated that the apertures may be provided through a face of the unit that is not a door. The doors may then be opened without moving the apertures. The ramp may include one or more indents or grooves for guiding the bin along the ramp. The base of the wipe disposal compartment may include one or more indents or grooves for correctly positioning the bin in the compartment.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only. Various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (25)

1. A dispensing and disposal unit for storing wipes, the unit comprising a housing comprising a wipe dispensing compartment for unused wipes, a wipe disposal compartment for used wipes, the wipe disposal compartment including a bin receiving area for the wheeled bin, a partition between the wipe dispensing and disposal compartments, and a wheeled bin for the unit, the wipe dispensing compartment being disposed over the wipe disposal compartment and including dispensing means for taking out unused wipes, and the wipe disposal compartment including a metal enclosure for protecting the wheeled bin, the wheeled bin being storable in the metal enclosure, an opening for allowing movement of the wheeled bin into and out of the metal enclosure, a movable upright closure element for closing the opening, a disposal aperture which leads into an upper region of the metal enclosure, and a second closure element for closing the disposal aperture.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, in which a projection is provided below the disposal aperture, the projection extending into the metal enclosure for directing wipes from the disposal aperture into the wheeled bin.

3. A unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which at least one foot is connected below the wipe disposal compartment for raising the wipe disposal compartment off the ground, and a ramp is provided at the front of the wipe disposal compartment for aiding movement of the wheeled bin from/to the ground to/from the raised wipe disposal compartment.

4. A unit as claimed in claim 3, in which two feet are provided, the feet together being adapted for receiving a pallet skid truck or forklift forks.

5. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the ramp is connected to the movable closure element in a configuration which deploys the ramp when the movable closure element is moved into an open position away from the opening, and/or stows the ramp when the movable closure element is moved into a closed position across the opening.

6. A unit as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, in which the ramp is hinged at or near a front edge of the wipe disposal compartment to allow the ramp to fold into the wipe disposal compartment.

7. A unit as claimed any preceding claim, in which the projection spans substantially at least the width of the disposal aperture.

8. A unit as claimed any preceding claim, in which the disposal aperture is provided through a substantially vertical surface of the unit.

9. A unit as claimed any preceding claim, in which the projection is provided on a face of the movable upright closure element of the wipe disposal compartment.

10. A unit as claimed any preceding claim, in which the disposal aperture is provided through the movable upright closure element of the wipe disposal compartment.

11. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the dispensing means includes a dispensing aperture and a sloped surface of the partition for directing wipes towards the dispensing aperture.

12. A unit as claimed in claim 11, in which the dispensing aperture is positioned above a lower end of the sloped surface, providing a lip for retaining wipes in the wipe dispensing compartment.

13. A unit as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, in which the dispensing means includes a funnel element for directing wipes sideways to the dispensing aperture.

14. A unit as claimed in claim 13, in which the funnel element extends into the wipe dispensing compartment from a side edge or opposing side edges of the dispensing aperture.

15. A unit as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, in which the dispensing aperture and the disposal aperture are provided next to each other on the same side of the unit.

16. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second closure element is a metal flap which hangs across the disposal aperture.

17. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the wipe dispensing compartment includes a movable closure element for re-filling the wipe dispensing compartment with wipes.

18. A unit as claimed in claim 17, in which the dispensing aperture is provided through the movable closure element of the wipe dispensing compartment.

19. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the unit includes a sloped top surface which slopes downwardly from the rear of the unit to the front of the unit.

20. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the wipe disposal compartment and movable upright closure element each have a height of substantially 0.75 metres or greater for accommodating the wheeled bin.

21. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the metal enclosure is certified for compliance with industry standards pertaining to the storage or transport of flammable or combustible goods.

22. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the wheeled bin includes a container and a hinged lid for the container, and the hinged lid is disposed in a space between the container and the movable upright closure element or a wall of the wipe disposal compartment.

23. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, including a plurality of wipes.

24. A dispensing and disposal unit for storing wipes, the unit comprising a housing comprising a wipe dispensing compartment for unused wipes, a wipe disposal compartment for used wipes, the wipe disposal compartment including a bin receiving area for a wheeled bin, and a partition between the wipe dispensing and disposal compartments, the wipe dispensing compartment being disposed over the wipe disposal compartment and including dispensing means for taking out unused wipes, and the wipe disposal compartment including an enclosure for protecting the wheeled bin, an opening for allowing movement of the wheeled bin into and out of the enclosure, a movable upright closure element for closing the opening, a disposal aperture which leads into an upper region of the enclosure, a second closure element for closing the disposal aperture, and a projection below the disposal aperture and extending into the enclosure for directing wipes from the disposal aperture into the wheeled bin.

25. A dispensing and disposal unit for storing wipes, the unit comprising a housing comprising a wipe dispensing compartment for unused wipes, a wipe disposal compartment for used wipes, the wipe disposal compartment including a bin receiving area for a wheeled bin, and a partition between the wipe dispensing and disposal compartments, the wipe dispensing compartment being disposed over the wipe disposal compartment and including dispensing means for taking out unused wipes, and the wipe disposal compartment including an enclosure for protecting the wheeled bin, an opening for allowing movement of the wheeled bin into and out of the enclosure, a movable upright closure element for closing the opening, a disposal aperture which leads into an upper region of the enclosure, and a second closure element for closing the disposal aperture, in which at least one foot is connected below the wipe disposal compartment for raising the wipe disposal compartment off the ground, and a movable ramp is provided at the front of the wipe disposal compartment for aiding movement of the wheeled bin from/to the ground to/from the raised wipe disposal compartment.