RU199480U1 - Dispenser for wet toilet paper, towels or wipers - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for automated dispensing of wet toilet paper, napkins, towels or wiping material is proposed. The device contains a removable spray system module, which contains a bottle filled with a sprayed liquid with a dispenser cap and a spray system mechanism that provides intermittent action on the pusher, which is in contact with the button of the dispenser cap and starts spraying liquid droplets onto the dispensed material. The spray system module is installed in the device on guides and is equipped with elements for locking the retracted and extended position. The material feeding mechanism and the mechanism of the spraying system contain electric drives, which are connected into a single control system and are synchronously activated in response to the triggering of the detection sensor. The device is compact, easy to use and maintain, and inexpensive. 1 wp f-ly, 14 ill.

Description

Technology area

The utility model relates to the field of sanitary and hygienic equipment, namely, devices for the automated dispensing of wet toilet paper, napkins, towels or wipes. The claimed utility model can be used in sanitary and hygienic, household, industrial, cosmetology, medical, veterinary and other areas of activity where it is necessary to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

State of the art

Dispensers of paper or nonwoven wiping material for household or sanitary purposes, especially in public areas, usually consist of a housing, into which a roll or stack of dry tape is inserted, which unwinds through a distribution slot or opening. The tape typically contains transverse notches in the direction of unwinding, defining rectangular sheets that can be peeled off one at a time. Cellulosic paper or nonwovens are used that are flexible and soft and consist of one or more layers and have good absorbency characteristics. In addition, wet wipes, which require storage in sealed packaging, are in great consumer demand. The composition of the liquid contained in wet wipes includes water and alcohol-water lotions and emulsions, surfactants, emollients, fragrances, preservatives, biologically active substances, vegetable oils and other compounds. The use of wet wipes accompanies many daily activities related to hygiene, wiping and cleaning surfaces. They are designed to remove dirt, grease, oil and for intensive cleaning. Keeping hands clean and hygienic directly affects people's comfort and safety. It is important to note that stationary devices that could store and dispense not dry, but moist or wet paper have not yet become widespread.

A number of technical solutions and devices are known that implement the principle of dispensing moist or damp paper or non-paper wiping material. Designs of hand-held dry paper dispensers equipped with a device for soaking paper after removing it from the dispenser [5,887,759 - Liquid dispenser for moistening paper articles. 3,865,271 - Dispenser and liquid applicator for toilet paper, paper towels, and the like.]. In manual operation, the user needs to pull the required amount of paper out of the dispenser and moisten it by touching the dispenser interface element (usually by pressing a button). The hand-operated design is easy to implement, but less convenient to use and less hygienic, as it involves a large number of contacts of the device with dirty hands. Obviously, automated systems can reduce the number of user touches to device elements (buttons, levers) or completely eliminate touching when using proximity sensors. Some solutions are known for automated wet paper dispensers [5,265,509 - Automatic tissue supplier for providing moisturized tissue. 3,947,134 - Device for dispensing moistened hot cleansing tissues.]. These devices are characterized by large dimensions associated with the use of bulky reservoirs with liquid (water) and bulky units for loading stacks of dry cleaning material (cloth or paper). Another disadvantage is that these devices have a complex design, designed for frequent recharging of disposable or non-disposable wiping material. For hygiene reasons, regular fluid changes require regular flushing of the tanks. These devices do not imply contactless control of the wet paper feed, although such control is technically feasible. Models of devices for dispensing traditional Japanese wet and heated oshibori towels (for example, Clean Mate, Sakura, Oshiborius, etc.) are also common, but they have only a tabletop design, which is not universal and involves the use of these devices mainly in clean and non-wet areas (restaurants, bars).

As can be seen from the above examples, existing dispensers of wet wiping material (paper, non-woven or woven) have significant drawbacks that limit their widespread adoption in household, sanitary, industrial and other areas.

Closest to the claimed utility model is a prototype device, which implements automated unwinding of a roll of paper material, onto which a liquid is sprayed or sprayed [US 6,457,434 bl - Wet / dry tissue dispenser. 01.10.2002]. The device implements a mechanism that provides for the supply of material in the form of double-folded paper, in which one layer is kept dry to support the second - wet paper layer. Thanks to this, the authors solve the problem of premature destruction of wet paper before it reaches the user. The liquid spraying mechanism in this design includes a unit with multiple containers, a delivery system (pump), liquid transporting tubes and spray nozzles. The delivery system is driven by the forward motion of two solenoids. The first solenoid moves the central pusher, and the second moves the clip with a certain number of actuators. The number of actuators corresponds to the number of reservoirs (containers) with liquid and the number of spray nozzles (in the prototype application, a system with four reservoirs is presented). At the user's request, the control system activates one of the actuators, which, getting into the zone of movement of the first pusher, begins to squeeze out liquid from the required reservoir. Thus, the user is given the opportunity to select the type of liquid that can be used to wet the paper.

The disadvantage of the known device is that the fluid supply system is very complex and massive. The liquid dispersion system is connected to the reservoirs through extended tubes. Also, through the tubes, a connection is made between the pump drive and the spray nozzles. The presence of pipes makes the structure cumbersome, in addition, a certain amount of liquid remains in them, therefore, when the container is refilled, it will be necessary to clean the pipelines. In addition, with prolonged downtime of one of the channels, there is a risk of stagnation of liquid in long tubes and the development of microorganisms. The latter circumstance can lead to the fact that after refilling the containers, the first portions of the dispensed liquid can deteriorate the hygienic characteristics of the paper. It is also significant that this design does not provide for the possibility of easy replacement of liquids in the tanks or the tanks themselves. The complex design of the pumping system leads to an increase in the cost of the device. This imposes a limitation on the possibility of mass use of these devices. Maintenance, cleaning the inner walls of the case of such a mechanism in practice will be too expensive.

Thus, in spite of the promising nature of the device for dispensing wet wipes for sanitary and hygienic purposes, so far no effective designs have been proposed to solve this problem.

Disclosure of the utility model The objective of the claimed utility model is to create a universal device for dispensing wet paper or non-paper material, made in a compact form and providing ease of maintenance, cleaning and fluid replacement.

This problem is solved by the claimed utility model - a dispenser for wet toilet paper, towels or wiping material, which contains an easily removable spray system module, in which a bottle filled with a spray liquid with a dispenser cap and a spray system mechanism are installed, which provides intermittent action on the pusher located in contact with the button of the dispenser lid and starts spraying liquid droplets onto the dispensed material. The spray system module is installed in the device on guides and is equipped with elements for locking the retracted and extended position. The material feeding mechanism and the mechanism of the spraying system contain electric drives, which are connected into a single control system and are synchronously activated in response to the triggering of the detection sensor.

The device is represented by graphic material, where:

in fig. 1 - device in section in the right view;

in fig. 2 - device in front view;

in fig. 3 is an isometric view of the nebulization system module from the side of the bottle;

in fig. 4 is an isometric view of a spray system module from the rear wall;

in fig. 5 is a sectional right side view of a device with an open lid and an extended spray module;

in fig. 6 is a front view of a device with an open lid and an extended spray module;

in fig. 7 is a schematic view of a wet wipe showing the area over which the liquid is sprayed;

in fig. 8 is a schematic view of a wet wipe showing the area over which the liquid is sprayed;

in fig. 9 is a schematic view of a wet wipe showing the area over which the liquid is sprayed;

in fig. 10 is a sectional view from the right of a variant of the device with a movable platform and two bottles installed;

in fig. 11 is a front view of the device with a movable platform in the mode of operation of the first bottle;

in fig. 12 is a front view of the movable platform device; after switching to the mode of using the second bottle;

in fig. 13 is an isometric view of a module with a translationally moving platform and two bottles;

in fig. 14 is an isometric view of a module with a rotating platform and four vials.

The device is shown schematically in FIG. 1-2. The device contains a housing 1, a cover 2, a roll of dry material 3, rollers of a material feed mechanism 4, a system of guide and support rollers and strips 5, a spray system module 6, a spray system drive mechanism 7, a bottle of liquid 8, a spray cap 9, non-contact sensor 10, clips 11, pusher 12, handle 16.

The device of FIG. 1 is mounted on the wall by the rear side of the case 1. The front of the device contains a cover 2, opening of which provides access to the mechanisms located inside for their maintenance. Structurally, the cover 2 can be made in the form of a hinged cover (according to Fig. 1), a sliding cover on guides, or a removable structure. In addition, the lid can be opened both manually and automatically, provided that the lid opening drive is included in the design. On the front of the device there is a proximity sensor 10, a device control panel and a slot through which the moistened material is discharged. A removable roll of dry material 2, a material feed drive 4, a system of pulling rollers and guides 5 for material advancement, a spray system module are installed inside the body 6. All the elements necessary for the automated operation of the device are also located inside the body - converters or autonomous power sources, a controller and a system control, material cutting mechanism, etc.

The spray system module is shown in FIG. 3-4 and solves the problem of moistening the material to be dispensed and is made in the form of a compact unit in which a bottle 8 with a spray cap 9 is installed. The spray system module 6 (Fig. 3) includes a base and a rear wall. The bottle 8, filled with the sprayed liquid, is installed on the base in a dedicated place, which ensures a stable vertical position of the bottle. On the back wall above the bottle there is a mechanism of the spray system 7, the operation of which is synchronized with the operation of the material supply mechanism 4 (Fig. 1). The mechanism of the spray system 7 is an actuator with a pusher 12, which is in contact with the button of the spray lid 9. The actuator can have a different design. It is possible to use an actuator in the form of a solenoid, the translational movement of which is realized by pressing the button of the spray lid 9. It is also possible to use a system of cams that provide pressing on the piston of the spray lid 9 from the rotating shaft of the electric drive. The implementation of the mechanism of the spray system 7 is not limited to the given examples. The impact of the pusher 12 on the button of the spray cap 9 is carried out through a programmable control system of the device (controller).

On the reverse side of the rear wall of the module there are guides 17 (Fig. 4), along which the module is installed in the counter guides 13 located in the device body (Fig. 5-6). By moving this compact unit (module) along the guides, it can be easily removed from the internal space of the device in order to replace the empty bottle with a new, filled one. This solution provides easy removal of the module from the device body, not only for replacing the bottle, but also for hygienic treatment of the inner surface of the device body. FIG. 5 and 6 show the device with the cover 2 open and the module 6 pulled out from the bottom of the device. An alternative design is possible with the module sliding out from the side wall of the device (to the right or to the left). In the latter case, the guide elements 13 and 17 are made in a horizontal design, which will ensure the operation of the device when installed on a horizontal surface. Removing the compact module is easily accomplished without a special tool and is achieved by releasing the locking elements 11 and manually pressing the handle 16 in the lower part of the housing (Figs. 5 and 6). Module 6 extends on guides, which have stops and are arranged in such a way that the module can be extended at a certain distance from the inner space of the device and can be fixed in the extended position. The extension of the module 6 can be constructively implemented not only in manual mode, but also using a special drive.

The spray bottle is a pump spray container and consists of a plastic bottle 8 and a spray cap 9 of a non-aerosol type. These bottles are inexpensive and are commonly produced for use in cosmetics and household chemicals. The volume of the bottle depends on the size of the device. A rational choice of volume is in the range of 0.25-1.00 liters. A volume smaller than 0.25 L will require changing the bottle too often, while a volume greater than 1.00 L will make the module too heavy and bulky. The vial in cross-section can be cylindrical, rectangular or oval - the choice of the optimal shape is determined by the design of the module into which the vial is installed. When you press the button of the dispenser lid 9, the liquid is released in the form of small drops. The stream of droplets is directed to the surface of the paper (see Fig. 1). A single action of the pusher 12 on the button of the spray lid 9 gives out a certain portion of the liquid. Paper movement can be continuous or intermittent, and its speed is programmed in the device control system. The number of pressures and parameters of material movement should be determined when adjusting the device depending on the absorbency of the material, on the required level of wetting of the material and on the required level of its mechanical integrity. The mechanical integrity of wet paper depends on the one hand on the type of paper used, its wet characteristics, and on the other hand, on the fact that the wetting zone is located in the central part, thus, the areas of the paper that remain dry perform a supporting function, preventing the paper break prematurely. FIG. 7, 8, 9 show some possible configurations of the zone for applying liquid to a piece of paper. The size of the wetting area that the flow of drops leaves on the paper and the degree of paper dampening depend on the characteristics of the dispenser cover 9, the distance from the spray gun to the paper and the number of single presses on the button. As a liquid, not only pure water can be used, but also any aqueous and non-aqueous compositions, the use of which is permissible by the technical requirements in this area of application.

The module of the spraying system can be made in a form that assumes the possibility of installing two or more bottles. This design allows you to provide an additional supply of fluid or the ability to use fluids of different compositions. FIG. 10-12 shows a device containing a spray system module 6, on which a movable platform 14 is installed, including a holder with two bottles 8. The platform 14 is equipped with its own electric drive, the operation of which is synchronized with the operation of the paper feed mechanisms and the spray system. The movement of the platform 14 is set in such a way that the required bottle is brought to the area of action of the pusher 12 of the mechanism of the spray system 7. The module of the spray system (Fig. 13) provides a reciprocating movement of the platform 14 in a plane parallel to the plane of the expanded material. Automatic bottle change can be implemented in an arrangement in which module 6 includes a rotating platform (Fig. 14). In this embodiment, the module 6 provides a rotational movement of the circular platform 14 around its axis, ensuring the positioning of a given bottle in the area of action of the pusher 12 of the spray system 7. The operation of the modules shown in FIG. 13 and 14 does not differ from operating with the platformless module in FIG. 3. Removing the modules of FIG. 13 and 14, is also carried out along the guides and with the opening of the latches 11 and using the handle 16.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 13 and 14, the number of vials and the type of movement of the platform 14 are limited by the permissible dimensions of the device for dispensing wet material. The presence of multiple vials on a movable platform allows for the use of different fluids for their application to the material according to the user's request, or provides a stock of spray vials to reduce the frequency of replacement in the device.

The device contains a material feeding mechanism containing a roll 3, an electric drive of the material supply, a system of supporting rollers 4 and guide strips 5. The material is pulled in such a way that one of its sections in a straightened form passes in front of the spraying zone of the spray device module 6. The material is wetted in its central parts and passed through the slot to the user. The method for separating wet material can be implemented mechanically or automatically. In mechanical separation, the user pulls off a certain amount of damp paper when in contact with the pointed and jagged edge of the outer cover of the device. The material can also be peeled off automatically by using known methods of mechanically cutting the unwound paper section. The design features of the material feeding mechanism, the material pulling mechanism or the mechanism for cutting it off may differ, but this does not affect the efficiency of the proposed device due to the use of the modular design of the spraying mechanism.

The set of essential features of the claimed device provides a technical result - the ability of the device to release wet wiping material, while ensuring the ease of replacing the container with liquid and cleaning the internal space of the device body, and with such a quality level that allows the use of a device with several containers that can produce different liquid upon user request.

The claimed device differs from the known prototype device, first of all, by the presence of a pull-out module that provides access to a plastic bottle with a spray cap or several bottles. Changing the empty bottle is easy to implement, which eliminates the need for cleaning and maintenance of a permanently mounted reservoir or containers. The use of an actuator directly acting on the spray cap of the bottle eliminates the need for extended tubes that unnecessarily obstruct the structure. The claimed device differs from the prototype by the presence of an easily removable module with a bottle or with a movable platform and a holder with several bottles.

The analysis of the prior art did not allow to find a solution that completely coincides in terms of the set of essential features with the claimed one, which may indicate its novelty. The known device [US 6,457,434 bl - Wet / dry tissue dispenser. 01.10.2002] has a different design, it does not use the modular principle of removing the block with plastic vials equipped with standard commercially available and inexpensive spray caps. The known device has a significant limitation in the intended use of the claimed utility model, and this characterizes the novelty of the application.

Only a set of essential features of the proposed device allows you to achieve the specified technical result. The novelty is the solution to use an automatically operating mechanism of the nebulizer made in the form of a module that can be easily removed from the device body. The module can be removed to provide replacement of the liquid reservoir (bottle or several bottles with a dispenser cap). The modular removable design provides another advantage of the claimed device over the prototype, which is that the new device facilitates cleaning and maintenance of the interior of the case.

Detailed description. An example of a specific use of the device.

To confirm the compliance of the claimed utility model with the requirement of "industrial applicability", we give examples of specific implementation. The device operates as follows. The user brings his hand to the proximity sensor 10 (Fig. 1), which transmits a signal to the device controller. The controller causes the movement of the drive of the paper feed mechanism 4, which initiates the unwinding of the roll 3. At the same time, the controller sends a signal to the actuator of the spraying system 7, mounted on the module 6. The actuator of the spraying system 7 activates the pusher 12, which presses the button of the spray lid 9 bottle 8, the nozzle of which is oriented to the straightened area of the material. A stream of droplets is applied to the central part of the material. The user receives a certain amount of wet material that is discharged through a slot in the front of the device.

To replace the roll in the device, open cover 2, remove the empty sleeve, freeing it from the fixing elements, and put a new roll 3 (see Fig. 5). It is possible to use an automated system for changing the roll by analogy with known designs. The free end of the roll should be fed into the guide rollers 4 and passed through the guide bars 5 into the outlet slot of the device.

Replacement of the bottle is carried out by removing the module of the spray system 6 through a special opening in the device (see Fig. 5). To extend the module, the user releases the latches 11 and, using the handle 16, pushes the module 6 with the bottle out of the device body. The module extends from the body 1 of the device along the guides 13, at a distance sufficient to ensure replacement of the bottle 9 or maintenance of the module 6. The limitation of the maximum position of the module in the extended state is provided by special stops on the guides. After extending the module, the bottle is outside the inner space of the body and is available for replacement. In addition, the device is freed from the module and this makes it possible to sanitize its inner surface. After replacing the bottle and processing the device, the user pushes the module back into the housing along the guides and puts the latches 11 in the locking mode. The operation of extending / retracting module 6 can be carried out both manually and in automatic mode, if the design provides for a separate drive for translational movement of the module.

The operation of the device in the variants shown in FIG. 10-14 can be performed using two or more bottles located in the module of the spray system on a movable platform. In this variant, the user can select the number of the vial on the control panel of the device at will. In accordance with the position selected on the control panel, the movable platform brings the required bottle to the mechanism of the spray system. In the embodiment of FIG. 10-13, the platform 14 with two vials reciprocates relative to the pusher of the spray mechanism 7, thereby allowing the alternate spraying of the two vials. In the module variant shown in FIG. 14, a round platform with four bottles makes a discrete rotational movement about its axis, bringing the required bottle to the spray mechanism 7, thereby providing the ability to switch between bottles. After positioning the bottle, the device control system starts the material feeding and liquid spraying mechanisms, operating in the sequence described above. Maintenance of the device and replacement of vials is carried out in the same sequence.

The advantage of the proposed device is that it uses a modular principle of layout of the material humidification system using a spray device based on the use of an easily replaceable bottle with a spray lid. This feature makes it possible to develop a universal device for dosing wet material. The design of the device is economically justified, the low cost of the device used, and the technology of its manufacture make it possible to judge the great potential of its use. On its basis, high-quality dispensers for the release of wet wiping material of any degree of automation can be obtained, from mechanisms with manual material feeding and manual extraction, to fully automated and non-contact mechanisms. The operation of the wet material dispenser is associated with the use of standard vials and spray caps. The size and type of material, the volume and type of liquid, the degree of wetting of the material can be any and are determined by the requirements of a particular application. In addition to paper, other materials can be used, in particular woven or non-woven.

The inventive device can in many cases relieve consumers of the need to buy and carry with them sealed bags with wet or alcohol wipes. The device can be used in bathrooms, mechanical workshops, medical, cosmetic and veterinary institutions. The device can be used in trade for dispensing “product samples” - paper samples soaked in cologne, perfume or other compounds.

Claims (2)

1. A dispenser for wet toilet paper, towels or wiping material containing a sensor for detecting the presence of a user's hand in a predetermined position near the device, a material feeding mechanism in contact with a roll of dry sheet material and an easy-to-remove module of the spray system, in which is installed filled with a spray liquid a bottle with a dispenser cap and a spray system mechanism that provides an intermittent action on the pusher in contact with the button of the dispenser cap, and the feed mechanism and the spray system mechanism contain electric drives that are synchronously activated in response to the triggering of the detection sensor, while the spray system module installed on guides and equipped with elements for locking the retracted and extended position. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the spray system module comprises a movable platform on which a holder with two or more bottles is installed, the platform comprises a drive that provides a reciprocating or rotational movement of the holder and positioning of a given bottle relative to the pusher of the spray system.

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