US20170225875A1 - Mounting bracket for material dispensing system - Google Patents

Mounting bracket for material dispensing system Download PDF

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Publication number
US20170225875A1
US20170225875A1 US15/518,517 US201515518517A US2017225875A1 US 20170225875 A1 US20170225875 A1 US 20170225875A1 US 201515518517 A US201515518517 A US 201515518517A US 2017225875 A1 US2017225875 A1 US 2017225875A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
self
engagement component
facing surface
alignment
wall
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/518,517
Inventor
Robert Samuel Schlaupitz
Kroy Donald Johnson
Stephanie Diana Scharenbroch
Andrew John Fotjik
Benjamin Charles Sarbo
Timothy James Peters
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Original Assignee
Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc filed Critical Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Priority to US15/518,517 priority Critical patent/US20170225875A1/en
Publication of US20170225875A1 publication Critical patent/US20170225875A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/08Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47KSANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/42Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked
    • A47K10/421Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the top of the dispenser
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G29/00Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
    • A47G29/087Devices for fastening household utensils, or the like, to tables, walls, or the like
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47KSANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/38Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47KSANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K7/00Body washing or cleaning implements
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/20External fittings
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47KSANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K2010/3233Details of the housing, e.g. hinges, connection to the wall
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47KSANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K2010/3266Wet wipes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47KSANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K2201/00Details of connections of bathroom accessories, e.g. fixing soap or towel holder to a wall
    • A47K2201/02Connections to a wall mounted support

Definitions

  • toilet paper roll holders are designed only to hold a single roll of dry bathroom tissue.
  • the existing toilet paper roll holders are not designed for supporting a wet wipes dispenser. This can reduce or hinder using wet wipes within the bathroom if they cannot otherwise be located close to the toilet for easy use.
  • One approach is to replace the existing toilet paper spindle in the toilet paper roll holder with a custom dispenser that mounts with the existing spindle holes.
  • the custom dispenser usually has provisions for holding a dry tissue roll and a compartment for dispensing wet wipes.
  • a drawback to this approach is that often the custom designed dispenser is large and/or unsightly. Many people do not like the look of the custom dispensers in the bathroom.
  • the custom dispensers can be expensive. People who are unsure that they will like or use the custom dispenser often will not try the material dispenser due to the higher initial cost.
  • a second approach is to hang the wet wipes dispenser from the existing toilet paper holder by hooking the dispenser to the spindle.
  • a problem with this approach is that refilling the toilet paper roll holder with a new tissue roll is cumbersome because a consumer also has to remove and replace a second dispenser each time the toilet paper roll needs changing. Many consumers do not wish to bother with this annoyance and avoid wet wipe dispensers with hooks that attach to the spindle.
  • a wet wipes dispenser can be optionally located near the dry toilet paper roll, or suitable for using on flat surfaces instead of hanging, or convenient to hold and dispense the wet wipes.
  • Moist wipe dispensers for use in the bathroom are limited to where they can be positioned for convenient access while the user is using the toilet.
  • the counter-top is limited on space, the back of the toilet is inconvenient for the user to access the wipes dispenser, and the floor is often not sanitary.
  • Attaching a moist wipes dispenser to a vertical service such as a wall or the side of a cabinet provides the user convenient access to the dispenser. It is sometimes desirable, however, for the user to remove the dispenser from the wall for reasons such as refilling, convenient two-handed dispensing, or even cleaning the dispenser, and then return the dispenser into its holder into its original position.
  • Mechanisms such as locks and tabs that can attach a dispenser to a mounting bracket have been shown to not be intuitive perhaps because sufficient time has passed from when the dispenser was originally attached to the wall that the user has forgotten, or perhaps somebody other than the person who attached the dispenser to the wall desires to remove it. There is a need to have the means to remove the dispenser from the mounting bracket then return the dispenser back onto its bracket in a quick, intuitive manner.
  • the present application describes a wall-mountable material dispensing system including a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver, and a mounting bracket.
  • the mounting bracket includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion.
  • the mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface, a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.
  • the present application also describes a wall-mountable material dispensing system including a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver disposed in the back wall, and a mounting bracket.
  • the mounting bracket includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, and a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion.
  • the mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet, and a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface.
  • the present application further describes a wall-mountable material dispensing system including a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver disposed in the back wall, wherein the first element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment receiver; and a mounting bracket.
  • the mounting bracket includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, and a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion.
  • the mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the self-alignment protrusion, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet, a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary material dispenser of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary mounting bracket of the present disclosure to be used with the material dispenser of FIG. 1 .
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 The present disclosure as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is directed to a multi-function attachment between a material dispenser 10 , such as a wet wipes dispenser, and a mounting bracket 20 using magnetic or other suitable attachment.
  • the material dispenser 10 and mounting bracket 20 can be attached to a vertical surface such as a wall.
  • the attachment of the material dispenser 10 to the mounting bracket 20 is self-aligning and continuously biases the material dispenser 10 toward a stabilizing platform, keeps the material dispenser 10 tight to the mounting bracket 20 during dispensing, and can be intuitively removed from the mounting bracket 20 and placed back on the mounting bracket 20 .
  • a mounting bracket 20 for supporting a material dispenser 10 on a fixed surface such as a wall.
  • the mounting bracket 20 includes a baseplate 24 having a substantially flat wall-facing surface 28 and an opposite outward-facing surface 32 .
  • a least one self-alignment protrusion 70 extends from the outward-facing surface 32 to assist the alignment of the material dispenser 10 to the mounting bracket 20 .
  • the mounting bracket 20 also includes a support member 40 extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface 32 that is configured to support the material dispenser 10 when desired to be placed on the wall.
  • the first element 54 of a mounting bracket engagement component 50 on the material dispenser 10 is adapted to releasably engage a second element 58 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 on the mounting bracket 20 .
  • the first element 54 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 magnetically engages with the second element 58 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 to prevent relative movement of the material dispenser 10 with regard to the mounting bracket 20 .
  • Various arrangements of mounting bracket engagement components 50 and multiple and varied mounting bracket engagement components 50 can also be employed to help lock the material dispenser 10 onto the mounting bracket 20 .
  • the mounting bracket engagement component 50 can be one or more of any suitable interlocking mechanisms.
  • the first element 54 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 can be one of a ferrous material and a magnet
  • the second element 58 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 can be the other of the ferrous material and the magnet.
  • both the first and second elements 54 , 58 can be magnets provided the magnetic poles of the magnets are aligned correctly.
  • the first element 54 can be a magnet
  • the second element 58 can be integral with the mounting bracket 20 if the mounting bracket 20 is of a ferrous material.
  • the mounting bracket engagement components 50 can be a snap made from metal or other suitable material, a hook-and-loop engagement system, or any other suitable engagement system.
  • the first element 54 and/or the second element 58 can be attached to a surface, embedded in a surface, disposed behind a surface, or of any other arrangement as the mechanism dictates.
  • Various other features of the mounting bracket 20 are described below.
  • attachment members 60 are suitable to affix the mounting bracket 20 to the fixed wall surface.
  • the mounting bracket 20 can be secured to the fixed wall surface with an attachment member 60 selected from adhesives, hook and loop tapes, suction cups, magnets, screws, removable double-sided foam, other tapes, micro suction, static cling films, any other suitable mechanism, or any combination of these.
  • the attachment member 60 is a stretch release adhesive.
  • a first protective layer is removed from the stretch release adhesive to expose a first adhesive layer.
  • the first adhesive layer is placed onto the substantially flat wall-facing surface 28 of the mounting bracket 20 to adhere the mounting bracket 20 to the stretch release adhesive.
  • the mounting bracket 20 can be supplied with the stretch release adhesive already attached.
  • a second protective layer is then removed from the opposing side of the stretch release adhesive to expose a second adhesive layer.
  • the second adhesive layer is placed onto the wall surface to adhesively attach the stretch release adhesive and the mounting bracket 20 to the wall surface.
  • the stretch release adhesive includes a stretch release tab extending from the mounting bracket 20 when mounted. When desired the stretch release tab is pulled and the second adhesive layer is released from the wall surface. As such, the mounting bracket 20 can be removed permanently from the wall surface without causing damage to the wall surface and placed elsewhere using another attachment member 60 .
  • the mounting bracket 20 can be used to support a material dispenser 10 .
  • Exemplary materials to be dispensed by the material dispenser 10 are typically flexible substrates (not shown) such as wipes that are useful for household chores, cleaning, personal care, health care, food wrapping, and cosmetic application or removal.
  • Non-limiting examples of suitable substrates for dispensing by the material dispenser 10 include nonwoven substrates; woven substrates; hydro-entangled substrates; air-entangled substrates; paper substrates including cellulose such as tissue paper, toilet paper, or paper towels; waxed paper substrates; coform substrates including cellulose fibers and polymer fibers; wet substrates such as wet wipes, moist cleaning wipes, moist toilet paper wipes, and baby wipes; film or plastic substrates such as those used to wrap food; shop towels; and metal substrates such as aluminum foil. Furthermore, laminated or plied together substrates of two or more layers of any of the preceding substrates are also suitable.
  • the material substrates are either wet or pre-moistened by an appropriate liquid, partially moistened by an appropriate liquid, or substrates that are initially dry but intended to be moistened prior to use by placing the substrate into an appropriate liquid such as water or a solvent.
  • suitable wet substrates include a substantially dry substrate (less than 10% by weight of water) containing lathering surfactants and conditioning agents either impregnated into or applied to the substrate such that wetting of the substrate with water prior to use yields a personal cleansing material dispenser.
  • the mounting bracket 20 can be used with many different kinds of material dispensers 10 , but desirably the material dispenser 10 is designed to house a plurality of individual sheets that are pre-moistened with a cleansing solution to function as wet wipes.
  • the material dispenser 10 can include a top 12 , a bottom surface 14 , and a back wall 16 .
  • the top 12 can include a main lid, a mini lid, a push button, and a dispensing orifice.
  • the back wall 16 and the bottom surface 14 form a lower tub 18 of the material dispenser 10 .
  • the main lid can be hingeably attached to the back wall 16 by a pair of hinges.
  • the main lid is secured in the closed position by a latch. When the latch is unfastened, the main lid can be opened to expose the entire top of the tub 18 to replenish the material dispenser 10 with new wet wipes.
  • the material dispenser 10 can be co-molded from two different materials such as a hard plastic and a softer thermoplastic elastomer material. As such, sealing areas between the main lid and tub 18 , and/or between the mini lid and main lid can have a gasket formed from thermoplastic elastomer material if desired to enhance moisture retention of the material dispenser 10 .
  • the material dispenser 10 and the mounting bracket 20 include between them a self-alignment feature to assist a user in properly placing the material dispenser 10 on the mounting bracket 20 .
  • Proper alignment of the material dispenser 10 on the mounting bracket 20 ensures the stability of the material dispenser 10 for dispensing material.
  • the preferable arrangement of features between the material dispenser 10 and the mounting bracket 20 are described herein, but the features can also be reversed in other aspects.
  • the self-alignment feature incorporates a self-alignment protrusion 70 disposed on the outward-facing surface 32 of the mounting bracket 20 and a self-alignment receiver 80 disposed on or in the back wall 16 of the material dispenser 10 .
  • the self-alignment protrusion 70 extends from the outward-facing surface 32 of the mounting bracket 20 , and includes a taper in at least one plane.
  • the self-alignment protrusion 70 is wider in at least one dimension where the self-alignment protrusion 70 connects with the outward-facing surface 32 than at the end away from where the self-alignment protrusion 70 connects with the outward-facing surface 32 .
  • the self-alignment protrusion 70 can be a cone with a base connected to the outward-facing surface 32 , and with a point away from the outward-facing surface 32 .
  • Certain protrusion shapes such as cones and domes (see, for example, FIG. 2 ) are tapered in more than one plane.
  • the self-alignment receiver 80 disposed on or in the back wall 16 of the material dispenser 10 is generally designed to accommodate some or all of the self-alignment protrusion 70 within the self-alignment receiver 80 .
  • the self-alignment receiver 80 is sized and shaped to reflect the size and shape of the self-alignment protrusion 70 .
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a self-alignment protrusion 70 that is convex
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a matching self-alignment receiver 80 that is concave. Because of the tapered natures of both the self-alignment protrusion 70 and the self-alignment receiver 80 , the material dispenser 10 when brought near and then in contact with the mounting bracket 20 will become aligned to the proper positioning on the mounting bracket 20 .
  • the first element 54 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 is disposed on the self-alignment receiver 80
  • the second element 58 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 is disposed on the self-alignment protrusion 70 .
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first element 54 disposed within the self-alignment receiver 80 of the material dispenser, and a second element 58 disposed on the self-alignment protrusion 70 of the mounting bracket 20 .
  • the mounting bracket 20 can also include a support member 40 either extending from the outward-facing surface 32 or integral with the outward-facing surface 32 .
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a support member in the form of a shelf extending from the outward-facing surface 32 of the mounting bracket 20 .
  • the support member 40 engages with and supports the bottom surface 14 of the material dispenser 10 .
  • Such support adds stability to the material dispenser 10 when mounted to the mounting bracket 20 .
  • the support member 40 provides a visual clue to a user to help the user align the material dispenser 10 properly with the mounting bracket 20 .
  • the back wall 16 of the material dispenser can include an inset 90 sized and shaped to accommodate a support member 40 in the form of the edges 35 of the mounting bracket 20 .
  • the back wall 16 of the material dispenser 10 includes an inset 90 into which the mounting bracket 20 will fit when the material dispenser 10 is aligned with and properly mounted on the mounting bracket 20 .
  • the placement of the first and second elements 54 , 58 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 are designed so that when brought together the cone-shaped self-alignment receiver 80 of the material dispenser 10 and the cone-shaped self-alignment protrusion 70 of the mounting bracket 20 automatically align the material dispenser 10 onto the mounting bracket 20 .
  • a support member 40 in the form of a stabilizing shelf on the mounting bracket 20 aligns with the bottom surface 14 of the material dispenser 10 .
  • the material dispenser 10 can “jump” from the users hand to the mounting bracket 20 and in perfect alignment, which causes delight to a user.
  • the mounting bracket 20 in the preceding aspects has been shown in combination with a material dispenser 10 and intended for wet wipes and co-located near a dry toilet paper roll.
  • the material dispenser 10 however, and the mounting bracket 20 can be used adjacent a paper towel holder for kitchen applications, or in any other suitable application.
  • a wall-mountable material dispensing system includes a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver; and a mounting bracket including a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion, a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface, a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.
  • a second particular aspect includes the first particular aspect, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet.
  • a third particular aspect includes the first or second aspect, wherein the first element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment receiver, and wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment protrusion.
  • a fourth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-3, wherein the first element of the engagement component is one of a ferrous material and a magnet disposed on the self-alignment receiver, and wherein the second element of the engagement component is the other of the ferrous material and the magnet disposed on the self-alignment protrusion.
  • a fifth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-4, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is convex and the self-alignment receiver is concave.
  • a sixth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-5, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is dome shaped.
  • a seventh particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-6, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is tapered in at least one plane.
  • An eighth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-7, wherein the self-alignment receiver is disposed in the back wall.
  • a ninth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-8, wherein the support member supports the bottom surface of the material dispenser.
  • a tenth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-9, wherein the back wall includes an inset, and wherein the support member supports the inset in the back wall of the material dispenser.
  • An eleventh particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-10, wherein the wall-mounting mechanism disposed on the wall-facing surface is a stretch removable adhesive.
  • a twelfth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-11, wherein wall-mounting mechanism is selected from hook and loop tapes, suction cups, magnets, screws, removable double-sided foam, other tapes, micro suction, and static cling films.
  • a thirteenth particular aspect includes a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver disposed in the back wall; and a mounting bracket.
  • the mounting bracket also includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, and a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion.
  • the mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet, and a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface.
  • a fourteenth particular aspect includes aspect 13, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is convex and the self-alignment receiver is concave.
  • a fifteenth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 13 and 14, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is dome shaped.
  • a sixteenth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 13-15, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is tapered in at least one plane.
  • a seventeenth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 13-16, wherein the support member supports the bottom surface of the material dispenser.
  • An eighteenth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 13-17, wherein the back wall includes an inset, and wherein the support member supports the inset in the back wall of the material dispenser.
  • a nineteenth particular aspect includes a wall-mountable material dispensing system including a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver disposed in the back wall, wherein the first element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment receiver; and a mounting bracket.
  • the mounting bracket includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, and a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion.
  • the mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the self-alignment protrusion, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet, a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.
  • a twentieth particular aspect includes aspect 19, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is convex and the self-alignment receiver is concave.

Abstract

A wall-mountable material dispensing system includes a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver, and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion. The mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface, a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.

Description

    BACKGROUND
  • Increasingly, consumers are using wet wipe products in addition to dry bathroom tissue for personal hygiene in the bathroom. However, most toilet paper roll holders are designed only to hold a single roll of dry bathroom tissue. The existing toilet paper roll holders are not designed for supporting a wet wipes dispenser. This can reduce or hinder using wet wipes within the bathroom if they cannot otherwise be located close to the toilet for easy use.
  • Various devices have been configured to allow for an additional wet wipe dispenser to mount with or adjacent the existing designs for toilet paper roll holders.
  • One approach is to replace the existing toilet paper spindle in the toilet paper roll holder with a custom dispenser that mounts with the existing spindle holes. The custom dispenser usually has provisions for holding a dry tissue roll and a compartment for dispensing wet wipes. A drawback to this approach is that often the custom designed dispenser is large and/or unsightly. Many people do not like the look of the custom dispensers in the bathroom. Furthermore, the custom dispensers can be expensive. People who are unsure that they will like or use the custom dispenser often will not try the material dispenser due to the higher initial cost.
  • A second approach is to hang the wet wipes dispenser from the existing toilet paper holder by hooking the dispenser to the spindle. A problem with this approach is that refilling the toilet paper roll holder with a new tissue roll is cumbersome because a consumer also has to remove and replace a second dispenser each time the toilet paper roll needs changing. Many consumers do not wish to bother with this annoyance and avoid wet wipe dispensers with hooks that attach to the spindle.
  • Consumers who use wet wipes tend to be split between those desiring to place the wet wipes dispenser near the dry tissue roll and those preferring to place the wet wipes dispenser out of sight or hidden because of perceived embarrassment. As such, it is desirable that a wet wipes dispenser can be optionally located near the dry toilet paper roll, or suitable for using on flat surfaces instead of hanging, or convenient to hold and dispense the wet wipes.
  • Moist wipe dispensers for use in the bathroom are limited to where they can be positioned for convenient access while the user is using the toilet. The counter-top is limited on space, the back of the toilet is inconvenient for the user to access the wipes dispenser, and the floor is often not sanitary. Attaching a moist wipes dispenser to a vertical service such as a wall or the side of a cabinet provides the user convenient access to the dispenser. It is sometimes desirable, however, for the user to remove the dispenser from the wall for reasons such as refilling, convenient two-handed dispensing, or even cleaning the dispenser, and then return the dispenser into its holder into its original position. Mechanisms such as locks and tabs that can attach a dispenser to a mounting bracket have been shown to not be intuitive perhaps because sufficient time has passed from when the dispenser was originally attached to the wall that the user has forgotten, or perhaps somebody other than the person who attached the dispenser to the wall desires to remove it. There is a need to have the means to remove the dispenser from the mounting bracket then return the dispenser back onto its bracket in a quick, intuitive manner.
  • SUMMARY
  • The present application describes a wall-mountable material dispensing system including a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver, and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion. The mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface, a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.
  • The present application also describes a wall-mountable material dispensing system including a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver disposed in the back wall, and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, and a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion. The mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet, and a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface.
  • The present application further describes a wall-mountable material dispensing system including a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver disposed in the back wall, wherein the first element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment receiver; and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, and a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion. The mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the self-alignment protrusion, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet, a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The foregoing and other features and aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings, where:
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary material dispenser of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary mounting bracket of the present disclosure to be used with the material dispenser of FIG. 1.
  • Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present disclosure. The drawings are representational and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof might be exaggerated, while others might be minimized.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary aspects only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary construction.
  • The present disclosure as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is directed to a multi-function attachment between a material dispenser 10, such as a wet wipes dispenser, and a mounting bracket 20 using magnetic or other suitable attachment. The material dispenser 10 and mounting bracket 20 can be attached to a vertical surface such as a wall. The attachment of the material dispenser 10 to the mounting bracket 20 is self-aligning and continuously biases the material dispenser 10 toward a stabilizing platform, keeps the material dispenser 10 tight to the mounting bracket 20 during dispensing, and can be intuitively removed from the mounting bracket 20 and placed back on the mounting bracket 20.
  • As illustrated in FIG. 2, a mounting bracket 20 for supporting a material dispenser 10 on a fixed surface such as a wall is disclosed. The mounting bracket 20 includes a baseplate 24 having a substantially flat wall-facing surface 28 and an opposite outward-facing surface 32. A least one self-alignment protrusion 70 extends from the outward-facing surface 32 to assist the alignment of the material dispenser 10 to the mounting bracket 20. The mounting bracket 20 also includes a support member 40 extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface 32 that is configured to support the material dispenser 10 when desired to be placed on the wall.
  • To maintain the material dispenser 10 on the mounting bracket 20, the first element 54 of a mounting bracket engagement component 50 on the material dispenser 10 is adapted to releasably engage a second element 58 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 on the mounting bracket 20. In one aspect, the first element 54 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 magnetically engages with the second element 58 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 to prevent relative movement of the material dispenser 10 with regard to the mounting bracket 20. Various arrangements of mounting bracket engagement components 50 and multiple and varied mounting bracket engagement components 50 can also be employed to help lock the material dispenser 10 onto the mounting bracket 20.
  • The mounting bracket engagement component 50 can be one or more of any suitable interlocking mechanisms. For example, the first element 54 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 can be one of a ferrous material and a magnet, and the second element 58 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 can be the other of the ferrous material and the magnet. In another aspect, both the first and second elements 54, 58 can be magnets provided the magnetic poles of the magnets are aligned correctly. In still another aspect, the first element 54 can be a magnet, and the second element 58 can be integral with the mounting bracket 20 if the mounting bracket 20 is of a ferrous material.
  • In various other aspects, the mounting bracket engagement components 50 can be a snap made from metal or other suitable material, a hook-and-loop engagement system, or any other suitable engagement system. In any of these aspects, the first element 54 and/or the second element 58 can be attached to a surface, embedded in a surface, disposed behind a surface, or of any other arrangement as the mechanism dictates. Various other features of the mounting bracket 20 are described below.
  • A variety of attachment members 60 are suitable to affix the mounting bracket 20 to the fixed wall surface. The mounting bracket 20 can be secured to the fixed wall surface with an attachment member 60 selected from adhesives, hook and loop tapes, suction cups, magnets, screws, removable double-sided foam, other tapes, micro suction, static cling films, any other suitable mechanism, or any combination of these.
  • Desirably, the attachment member 60 is a stretch release adhesive. To affix the mounting bracket 20 to the fixed wall surface with a stretch release adhesive, a first protective layer is removed from the stretch release adhesive to expose a first adhesive layer. The first adhesive layer is placed onto the substantially flat wall-facing surface 28 of the mounting bracket 20 to adhere the mounting bracket 20 to the stretch release adhesive. Alternatively, the mounting bracket 20 can be supplied with the stretch release adhesive already attached.
  • A second protective layer is then removed from the opposing side of the stretch release adhesive to expose a second adhesive layer. The second adhesive layer is placed onto the wall surface to adhesively attach the stretch release adhesive and the mounting bracket 20 to the wall surface. The stretch release adhesive includes a stretch release tab extending from the mounting bracket 20 when mounted. When desired the stretch release tab is pulled and the second adhesive layer is released from the wall surface. As such, the mounting bracket 20 can be removed permanently from the wall surface without causing damage to the wall surface and placed elsewhere using another attachment member 60.
  • The mounting bracket 20 can be used to support a material dispenser 10. Exemplary materials to be dispensed by the material dispenser 10 are typically flexible substrates (not shown) such as wipes that are useful for household chores, cleaning, personal care, health care, food wrapping, and cosmetic application or removal. Non-limiting examples of suitable substrates for dispensing by the material dispenser 10 include nonwoven substrates; woven substrates; hydro-entangled substrates; air-entangled substrates; paper substrates including cellulose such as tissue paper, toilet paper, or paper towels; waxed paper substrates; coform substrates including cellulose fibers and polymer fibers; wet substrates such as wet wipes, moist cleaning wipes, moist toilet paper wipes, and baby wipes; film or plastic substrates such as those used to wrap food; shop towels; and metal substrates such as aluminum foil. Furthermore, laminated or plied together substrates of two or more layers of any of the preceding substrates are also suitable.
  • Desirably, the material substrates are either wet or pre-moistened by an appropriate liquid, partially moistened by an appropriate liquid, or substrates that are initially dry but intended to be moistened prior to use by placing the substrate into an appropriate liquid such as water or a solvent. Non-limiting examples of suitable wet substrates include a substantially dry substrate (less than 10% by weight of water) containing lathering surfactants and conditioning agents either impregnated into or applied to the substrate such that wetting of the substrate with water prior to use yields a personal cleansing material dispenser.
  • The mounting bracket 20 can be used with many different kinds of material dispensers 10, but desirably the material dispenser 10 is designed to house a plurality of individual sheets that are pre-moistened with a cleansing solution to function as wet wipes. Referring now to FIG. 1, the material dispenser 10 can include a top 12, a bottom surface 14, and a back wall 16. In certain aspects not illustrated herein, the top 12 can include a main lid, a mini lid, a push button, and a dispensing orifice. The back wall 16 and the bottom surface 14 form a lower tub 18 of the material dispenser 10. The main lid can be hingeably attached to the back wall 16 by a pair of hinges. The main lid is secured in the closed position by a latch. When the latch is unfastened, the main lid can be opened to expose the entire top of the tub 18 to replenish the material dispenser 10 with new wet wipes.
  • The material dispenser 10 can be co-molded from two different materials such as a hard plastic and a softer thermoplastic elastomer material. As such, sealing areas between the main lid and tub 18, and/or between the mini lid and main lid can have a gasket formed from thermoplastic elastomer material if desired to enhance moisture retention of the material dispenser 10.
  • The material dispenser 10 and the mounting bracket 20 include between them a self-alignment feature to assist a user in properly placing the material dispenser 10 on the mounting bracket 20. Proper alignment of the material dispenser 10 on the mounting bracket 20 ensures the stability of the material dispenser 10 for dispensing material. The preferable arrangement of features between the material dispenser 10 and the mounting bracket 20 are described herein, but the features can also be reversed in other aspects.
  • The self-alignment feature incorporates a self-alignment protrusion 70 disposed on the outward-facing surface 32 of the mounting bracket 20 and a self-alignment receiver 80 disposed on or in the back wall 16 of the material dispenser 10. In general, the self-alignment protrusion 70 extends from the outward-facing surface 32 of the mounting bracket 20, and includes a taper in at least one plane. In other words, the self-alignment protrusion 70 is wider in at least one dimension where the self-alignment protrusion 70 connects with the outward-facing surface 32 than at the end away from where the self-alignment protrusion 70 connects with the outward-facing surface 32. For example, the self-alignment protrusion 70 can be a cone with a base connected to the outward-facing surface 32, and with a point away from the outward-facing surface 32. Certain protrusion shapes such as cones and domes (see, for example, FIG. 2) are tapered in more than one plane.
  • The self-alignment receiver 80 disposed on or in the back wall 16 of the material dispenser 10 is generally designed to accommodate some or all of the self-alignment protrusion 70 within the self-alignment receiver 80. In other words, the self-alignment receiver 80 is sized and shaped to reflect the size and shape of the self-alignment protrusion 70. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a self-alignment protrusion 70 that is convex and FIG. 1 illustrates a matching self-alignment receiver 80 that is concave. Because of the tapered natures of both the self-alignment protrusion 70 and the self-alignment receiver 80, the material dispenser 10 when brought near and then in contact with the mounting bracket 20 will become aligned to the proper positioning on the mounting bracket 20.
  • In various aspects of the present disclosure, the first element 54 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 is disposed on the self-alignment receiver 80, and the second element 58 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50 is disposed on the self-alignment protrusion 70. For example, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first element 54 disposed within the self-alignment receiver 80 of the material dispenser, and a second element 58 disposed on the self-alignment protrusion 70 of the mounting bracket 20.
  • The mounting bracket 20 can also include a support member 40 either extending from the outward-facing surface 32 or integral with the outward-facing surface 32. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a support member in the form of a shelf extending from the outward-facing surface 32 of the mounting bracket 20. In these aspects, the support member 40 engages with and supports the bottom surface 14 of the material dispenser 10. Such support adds stability to the material dispenser 10 when mounted to the mounting bracket 20. In addition, the support member 40 provides a visual clue to a user to help the user align the material dispenser 10 properly with the mounting bracket 20.
  • In other aspects, the back wall 16 of the material dispenser can include an inset 90 sized and shaped to accommodate a support member 40 in the form of the edges 35 of the mounting bracket 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the back wall 16 of the material dispenser 10 includes an inset 90 into which the mounting bracket 20 will fit when the material dispenser 10 is aligned with and properly mounted on the mounting bracket 20.
  • In a particular exemplary aspect, the placement of the first and second elements 54, 58 of the mounting bracket engagement component 50, such as a steel plate and a magnet, are designed so that when brought together the cone-shaped self-alignment receiver 80 of the material dispenser 10 and the cone-shaped self-alignment protrusion 70 of the mounting bracket 20 automatically align the material dispenser 10 onto the mounting bracket 20. A support member 40 in the form of a stabilizing shelf on the mounting bracket 20 aligns with the bottom surface 14 of the material dispenser 10. When the material dispenser 10 is brought towards the mounting bracket 20, magnetic force brings the two elements of the mounting bracket engagement component together, and the self-alignment receiver 80, the self-alignment protrusion 70, and the support member 40 align and stabilize the system.
  • Particularly if strong or multiple magnets are employed, the material dispenser 10 can “jump” from the users hand to the mounting bracket 20 and in perfect alignment, which causes delight to a user.
  • The mounting bracket 20 in the preceding aspects has been shown in combination with a material dispenser 10 and intended for wet wipes and co-located near a dry toilet paper roll. The material dispenser 10, however, and the mounting bracket 20 can be used adjacent a paper towel holder for kitchen applications, or in any other suitable application.
  • In a first particular aspect, a wall-mountable material dispensing system includes a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver; and a mounting bracket including a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion, a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface, a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.
  • A second particular aspect includes the first particular aspect, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet.
  • A third particular aspect includes the first or second aspect, wherein the first element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment receiver, and wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment protrusion.
  • A fourth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-3, wherein the first element of the engagement component is one of a ferrous material and a magnet disposed on the self-alignment receiver, and wherein the second element of the engagement component is the other of the ferrous material and the magnet disposed on the self-alignment protrusion.
  • A fifth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-4, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is convex and the self-alignment receiver is concave.
  • A sixth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-5, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is dome shaped.
  • A seventh particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-6, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is tapered in at least one plane.
  • An eighth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-7, wherein the self-alignment receiver is disposed in the back wall.
  • A ninth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-8, wherein the support member supports the bottom surface of the material dispenser.
  • A tenth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-9, wherein the back wall includes an inset, and wherein the support member supports the inset in the back wall of the material dispenser.
  • An eleventh particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-10, wherein the wall-mounting mechanism disposed on the wall-facing surface is a stretch removable adhesive.
  • A twelfth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 1-11, wherein wall-mounting mechanism is selected from hook and loop tapes, suction cups, magnets, screws, removable double-sided foam, other tapes, micro suction, and static cling films.
  • A thirteenth particular aspect includes a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver disposed in the back wall; and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket also includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, and a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion. The mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet, and a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface.
  • A fourteenth particular aspect includes aspect 13, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is convex and the self-alignment receiver is concave.
  • A fifteenth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 13 and 14, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is dome shaped.
  • A sixteenth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 13-15, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is tapered in at least one plane.
  • A seventeenth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 13-16, wherein the support member supports the bottom surface of the material dispenser.
  • An eighteenth particular aspect includes one or more of aspects 13-17, wherein the back wall includes an inset, and wherein the support member supports the inset in the back wall of the material dispenser.
  • A nineteenth particular aspect includes a wall-mountable material dispensing system including a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver disposed in the back wall, wherein the first element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment receiver; and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface, and a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion. The mounting bracket also includes a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the self-alignment protrusion, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet, a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.
  • A twentieth particular aspect includes aspect 19, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is convex and the self-alignment receiver is concave.
  • The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
  • All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present disclosure. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.
  • While particular aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:
1. A wall-mountable material dispensing system comprising:
a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver; and
a mounting bracket including:
a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface,
a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion,
a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface,
a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and
a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.
2. The material dispensing system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet.
3. The material dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the first element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment receiver, and wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment protrusion.
4. The material dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the first element of the engagement component is one of a ferrous material and a magnet disposed on the self-alignment receiver, and wherein the second element of the engagement component is the other of the ferrous material and the magnet disposed on the self-alignment protrusion.
5. The material dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is convex and the self-alignment receiver is concave.
6. The material dispensing system of claim 5, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is dome shaped.
7. The material dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is tapered in at least one plane.
8. The material dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the self-alignment receiver is disposed in the back wall.
9. The material dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the support member supports the bottom surface of the material dispenser.
10. The material dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the back wall includes an inset, and wherein the mounting bracket supports the inset in the back wall of the material dispenser.
11. The material dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the wall-mounting mechanism disposed on the wall-facing surface is a stretch removable adhesive.
12. The material dispensing system of claim 1, wherein wall-mounting mechanism is selected from hook and loop tapes, suction cups, magnets, screws, removable double-sided foam, other tapes, micro suction, and static cling films.
13. A wall-mountable material dispensing system comprising:
a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver disposed in the back wall; and
a mounting bracket including:
a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface,
a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion,
a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the outward-facing surface, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet, and
a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface.
14. The material dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is convex and the self-alignment receiver is concave.
15. The material dispensing system of claim 14, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is dome shaped.
16. The material dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is tapered in at least one plane.
17. The material dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the support member supports the bottom surface of the material dispenser.
18. The material dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the back wall includes an inset, and wherein the support member supports the inset in the back wall of the material dispenser.
19. A wall-mountable material dispensing system comprising:
a material dispenser having a back wall, a bottom surface, a first element of an engagement component, and a self-alignment receiver disposed in the back wall, wherein the first element of the engagement component is disposed on the self-alignment receiver; and
a mounting bracket including:
a baseplate having a generally planar wall-facing surface and an opposite outward-facing surface,
a self-alignment protrusion extending from the outward-facing surface, wherein the self-alignment receiver is sized to at least partially receive the self-alignment protrusion,
a second element of the engagement component configured to engage with the first element of the engagement component, wherein the second element of the engagement component is disposed on or in the self-alignment protrusion, wherein one of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a magnet, and wherein the other of the first and second elements of the engagement component is a ferrous material or a magnet,
a support member extending from or adjacent to the outward-facing surface, and
a wall-mounting mechanism disposed on or adjacent to the wall-facing surface.
20. The material dispensing system of claim 19, wherein the self-alignment protrusion is convex and the self-alignment receiver is concave.
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KR20170076714A (en) 2017-07-04
EP3212529A1 (en) 2017-09-06
KR101836786B1 (en) 2018-03-08
WO2016069202A1 (en) 2016-05-06
CN107072448A (en) 2017-08-18
IL251706A0 (en) 2017-06-29
BR112017007871A2 (en) 2018-01-23
TW201615139A (en) 2016-05-01
PE20170615A1 (en) 2017-05-17

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